By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Hallam mulch and soil yard accused of emitting dust into neighbouring businesses may be fined due to a late and non-compliant report to the Environmental Protection Authority.
Folino Plant Hire, which runs Supreme Organic Soils on O’Grady Road, had missed the 31 May deadline to submit a site layout plan as part of an EPA pollution abatement notice (PAN).
When the plan was received three days late, it did “not comply with the requirement” of the PAN, an EPA spokeswoman said.
The EPA is now considering whether to fine Folino at least $7500 for non-compliance.
Both Folino and a neighbouring mulch yard owned by Bark King Group have been given until 31 August to increase their dust control measures and not impact on their neighbours.
Unlike Folino, Bark King had submitted its required site layout plan to the EPA by 31 May.
If the companies fail to comply with the order, they face fines of up to $770,300.
According to the notices, excessive rates of dust deposits from the yards had coated a neighbouring industrial workplace.
The highest reading of dust in nearby Bolt Court was 9.42 grams per square metre per month in January – more than double the four-gram amenity standard in NSW.
“Numerous potential sources of dust are present on your premises and likely to be a source of dust emissions,” the notices stated to Bark King Group and Folino Plant Hire.
Hampton Park residents living about 300 metres south of the yards have also long complained of dust pollution.
The residents in Rowland Close and Glenora Way report regular and severe hay-fever, skin hives, asthma attacks, coughing and sore eyes suffered by children, young and old residents alike.
Nearby workers tell of the need to hose down vehicles daily and to keep factory doors constantly closed due to the dusty emissions.
The EPA has confirmed that O’Grady Road, which is unsealed and Casey council-managed, was not the “primary contributor” of the dust.
When asked about Folino’s compliance, company director Frank Folino recently told Star News: “That’s between me and the EPA.”
