A Brooklyn meat rendering company is more than $1 million out of pocket after agreeing to pay the Environment Protection Authority nearly $820,000 in estimated court costs.
Australian Tallow Producers (ATP) was also fined $200,000 in December for its breaches of the Environmental Protection Act after it polluted the atmosphere with a “rotting carcass smell” three times between June and September 2011.
The EPA received 13 reports from nearby residents on June 22 complaining about offensive odours. There were more complaints the next day, then again on September 21 that year.
The smell was so bad nearby residents said they were too embarrassed to invite visitors to their homes. Complainants described the odour as a “smell like sewerage, like rotting carcasses”.
One resident said they “had to lock all the doors and windows, and could not have any fresh air in the house”.
An EPA officer felt “close to vomiting”.
ATP was ordered in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to pay the “reasonable costs” of the EPA in pursuing 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,” an EPA spokesman said.
The company was ordered to also pay Hobsons Bay council $200,000 towards the Brooklyn Reserve Master Plan project, which includes a play space and recreation zone, plus the planting of 40 trees. The company was fined more than $7000 in 2013 after odour complaints.
