Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Suez Recycling and Recovery $8000 for breaching a licence condition at its Hallam Road, Hampton Park landfill that it must prevent offsite odours.
EPA Southern Metropolitan Acting Manager Megan Vallas said EPA officers inspected the site in September last year following a large increase in odour reports from the public to ensure the operation of the landfill was compliant with the requirements of its EPA licence.
“Thanks to timely, descriptive pollution reports from the public, EPA was able to confirm landfill gas odour in residential areas consistent with that emitted by the Hampton Park Landfill,” Ms Vallas said.
Suez Recycling and Recovery has since installed additional infrastructure to better manage landfill gas. EPA will continue to monitor the site to determine the effectiveness of these controls and to ensure Suez Recycling and Recovery meets its ongoing licence obligations.
Under the Environment Protection Act 1970 and the Infringements Act 2006, the company has the right to have the decision to issue the infringement notice reviewed or alternatively to have the matter heard and determined by a court.
Victoria’s new environment laws take effect on 1 July 2020 and introduce a general environmental duty requiring businesses and individuals to prevent harm to the environment and human health.
Suez Victorian infrastructure manager Andrew Carson said last year Suez completed extensive landfill gas management works at the Hallam Road landfill to mitigate odour complaints.
“Management works included 12 additional wells to extract landfill gas from the current cell and a 35,700 sqm cover of high-density polyethylene to further encapsulate landfill gas,” Mr Carson said.
He said this had resulted in a “greater efficiency” of gas collection and seen an additional engine installed onsite to convert this gas into electricity which, once converted, feeds into the local grid for redistribution.
If there are any environmental concerns, community members are encouraged to call 1800 368 737 or email hallamroad.info.anz@suez.com
