Dairy farmers across Gippsland can expect farm effluent audits to continue this autumn with a new round underway by EPA.

EPA Gippsland regional manager Elizabeth Radcliffe said EPA had conducted dairy effluent audits in the Gippsland region since 2002. The project has covered more than 1000 farms – 402 in the Macalister Irrigation District; 287 across West Gippsland; 67 in East Gippsland and 262 in South Gippsland.

The audits influence how effluent is managed on farms to improve local water quality and determines each farm’s compliance with the relevant environment protection policy.

“EPA audits are now underway in the Tarwin River catchment, with 78 already completed,” Ms Radcliffe said.

Of those already audited, 22 have been issued with Minor Works Pollution Abatement Notices requiring farmers to make improvements such as clean sludge out of existing ponds, remove weeds, install ponds and irrigations systems.

She said the audit identified common problems such as poor management of existing systems, ponds full of sludge, thick weed/grass cover, limited or no means of irrigation from the ponds and effluent overflow from sumps and ponds.

After EPA has identified the required changes, farmers work with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to develop effluent management plans.

Ms Radcliffe said more than 1000 farms have been audited throughout Gippsland and more than half of those were operating appropriately. However, more than 100 dairy effluent systems breached EPA regulations and risks were identified in more than 300 sites.

Several farmers have had notices removed this year, following improvements made on their farms to ensure they comply with the current regulations.

“Many farmers actively address the environmental issues, with most cooperative and happy to undertake works to make sure their systems function properly. But more needs to be done,” Ms Radcliffe said.

“EPA’s work with dairy farmers improves their understanding of sustainable farming to minimize potential impacts from industry on local waterways. Dairy effluent poses a significant threat to local waterways and can undermine the value of land and the products produced.”

Ms Radcliffe said often farms fail audits due to lack of ongoing maintenance. Farms that have a record of poor performance with EPA also run the risk of enforcement action.

“Whist the short term aim of this work in the region is to raise standards of all farms, the long term aim is to have industry assume control of the quality assurance and build this into their normal business frameworks,” Ms Radcliffe said.

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