A BROOKLYN composting company found guilty of leaking offensive odours was ordered to pay $40,000.
SITA Australia Pty Ltd appeared in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 29 January charged with breaching its EPA licence over an incident that occurred in September 2008.
The Court was told that Brooklyn residents had complained of an unbearable and sickening smell wafting from the site.
EPA officers detected a strong odour of compost drifting from the site and found it was coming from the company’s green waste windows.
EPA’s director of environmental services Bruce Dawson said the smell distressed many residents.
“SITA is required under its EPA licence conditions to ensure odour is confined to the site,” Mr Dawson said.
“Composting facilities need to have odour control measures in place, which prevent odour from impacting the broader community. EPA is working with these companies to identify and implement improved technologies for odour control.”
The company pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $40,000 to Hobsons Bay City Council’s environment and sustainability program. SITA was also ordered to pay EPA court costs of $10,000.
