The NSW Environment Protection Authority has issued an $8000 fine to Elf Farm Supplies composting facility at Mulgrave for producing offensive odours during July.
The breach was detected during a NSW Government compliance campaign conducted by the EPA and Department of Planning and Environment targeting potential odour sources in the Windsor and Mulgrave area.
EPA and DPE compliance officers conducted three odour surveys and a follow-up site inspection on July 18-19.
The EPA reports that during the third survey the officers identified an offensive odour similar to a mixture of rotting straw, ammonia and manure.
The offensive smell was detected up to 1km away from the composting facility.
EPA officers entered the composting facility and found the smell coming from the bale wetting area used for pre-treating straw, part of the compost production process.
EPA Director of Waste and Resource Recovery Steve Beaman said EPA officers had previously conducted numerous odour surveys around the Mulgrave facility and so were able to act swiftly to respond to the latest incident.
"The offensive odours emitted from Elf Farm Supplies were detected in alleged breach of s129 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997," Mr Beaman said.
“Unfortunately, it is not the first time Elf Farm Supplies has been fined by the EPA for odour offences. The composting facility will undertake significant upgrade works required by the EPA to control odour emissions.”
He said their continuing regulatory work to tackle odours in the area will include random odour surveys, inspections and responding to complaints from residents.
“We have rules, regulations and processes in place so that the community can enjoy their homes without excessive noise or, as in this case, odours,” he said.
- The EPA asks residents impacted by an odour to report it to the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555. Please note the time and duration of the smell, the wind direction, the type and intensity of the odour and where the odour was detected. This information will greatly assist the EPA in identifying the source of the odour.
