Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has welcomed the conclusion of its legal action against a Brooklyn company after it was found guilty last year to three counts of air pollution offences.
Australian Tallow Producers Pty Ltd was found to be in contravention of the Environment Protection Act 1970 after it polluted the atmosphere by allowing odours offensive to humans on three separate occasions in June 2011 and September 2011.
The company caused a ‘rotting carcass’ smell to impact on nearby residents to the point where they were too embarrassed to invite visitors over.
Following an EPA investigation, ATP was convicted on all charges in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 21 December 2015 and was ordered to pay $200,000 to Hobsons Bay City Council to fund a community environmental project.
ATP was also ordered to pay most of the reasonable costs of the EPA in prosecuting the matter.
ATP and EPA agreed that ATP would pay $818,000 as an agreed amount in lieu of further court litigation to determine the actual reasonable costs of the EPA.
This is in addition to the previous $200k it has been ordered to provide to Hobsons Bay City Council to fund the environmental project.
For further information on the court outcome, please visit: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/news-and-updates/news/2015/december/22/rendering-company-ordered-to-pay-$200000