EPA has issued two Pollution Abatement Notices (PANs) to Boral and Pinegro Products as part of ongoing investigations into odour issues reported by residents in the Caroline Springs area.
The notice issued to Pinegro Products on 5 May 2014 requires they modify their infrastructure, technology and management practices to address offensive odours in the Caroline Springs/Deer Park area.
The notice issued to Boral on 15 April 2014 requires the company complete remedial measures to prevent offensive odours being discharged beyond the boundary of their premises.
EPA Manager Metro Richard Marks said EPA will continue to monitor the two operators and hold them to account on notice requirements.
“We’ll track and report back to the community whether this results in a decrease in odour reporting, and reviewing odour reports is a valuable way of evaluating how successful our interventions have been,” Mr Marks said.
“Residents have a right to live in a vibrant community that is not affected by industry and EPA will continue to work closely with the community, local government, Boral and Pinegro on this issue."
Mr Marks said that the investigation has been difficult due to having multiple potential odour sources on a large and complex site, which is located a considerable distance from residents.
“To ensure we can effectively and accurately measure the success of the remedial measures put in place by Boral and Pinegro it is vital that community make accurate odour reports at the time they’re detected,” Mr Marks said.
“We’re asking the community to report strong, persistent odours to EPA at the time that they occur.’
“Callers may also be required to swear an affidavit, so the accuracy of the information is vitally important. This includes the time, duration, and location of where you were when you smelled the odour, the impact of the odour on you and your family, and correct contact details.”
About 776 odour pollution reports were made to EPA from the Melton and Brimbank Shires between 1 January and 7 May 2014. These reports may not all specify either Boral or Pinegro the source of the odour.
EPA has investigated 16 times and undertaken 15 rounds of targeted odour surveillance since 27 February 2014.
Residents should see short-term improvements in odour through enhanced management practices, and long-term improvements through investments in infrastructure.
We encourage you to keep reporting odour to EPA Pollution Hotline as it informs the work we do 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).