Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has granted a works approval for GBP Australia to construct a high temperature rendering plant to process offal generated at its existing premises in Poowong.
EPA received GBP’s proposal to build the rendering plant adjacent to its abattoir at 60 Gardner Lane on 31 July 2015.
EPA Development Assessments Manager, Tim Faragher said all environmental issues and community submissions were examined in its assessment and approval of GBP’s application.
“EPA received 12 public submissions during its community consultation period with concerns mainly relating to current odour emissions and the adequacy of the current wastewater treatment system and effluent reuse scheme,” he said.
“As a result, EPA requested GBP provide more detailed information including a wastewater management upgrade master plan and an environmental improvement plan for reusing treated effluent on land. GBP provided this extra information which formed part of EPA’s overall assessment.
“EPA also required GBP to establish a community liaison committee to keep residents up to date on its plans. This was established by GBP and includes representatives from the local community, EPA and council.”
Mr Faragher said in order for GBP to obtain a works approval, it needed to demonstrate the proposal was permitted by the land use planning scheme; would not adversely affect the interests of any person; would not adversely affect the quality of any segment of the environment and complied with relevant regulations and guidelines.
“EPA’s assessment found that GBP had met all of the above requirements and subsequently issued it with a works approval, with conditions for the installation of a high temperature rendering plant and upgraded wastewater treatment system,” Mr Faragher said.
“The proposed works will improve the site’s environmental performance, particularly in managing treated effluent due to the implementation of the actions required in the environmental improvement plan. The re-use scheme will be more sustainable and overall odour emissions will decrease.
“The process and conditions applied will ensure this important development can proceed and that any potential adverse impacts are properly managed.
“However, the works approval is subject to a number of conditions, and before commencing commissioning, GBP must demonstrate compliance with these.”
Some of these conditions include:
- Installing an odour control system, including biofilter and wet scrubber, in accordance with the works approval application.
- Implementing actions identified in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to improve the performance of its existing wastewater treatment plan.
- Installing additional winter storage to ensure sufficient storage is provided on site.
- Installing drains to collect contaminated run-off from irrigation areas to protect surface waters
- Informing the community through the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) with the progress regarding the commitments outlined in the EIP and construction of the rendering plant.
Mr Faragher said EPA consulted the Department of Health and Human Services, South Gippsland Water and South Gippsland Shire Council before making a final decision on the works approval application.
To view GBP’s works approval application and supporting documents, please visit: http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/licences-and-approvals/public-participation/featured-applications/gbp-australia-pty-ltd