The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has updated its advice to members of the community as clean-up and investigation of the St Marys site continues following a fire at the Cooper’s Environmental Waste Recycling on Saturday 29 November.
The EPA is undertaking further testing to assess potential contaminants in local waterways, including for Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, which are processed at the facility and present a risk of harm to those who come into direct contact with it. PCBs are hazardous chemicals historically used in transformers as coolants and have been banned since the 1980s.
As a precaution, we have extended the exclusion zone to include the length of South Creek from the facility down to the mouth of the Hawkesbury River.
This is in addition to advice to the public on Tuesday 2 December to stay away from the unnamed creek adjacent to the site and 3 kilometres of South Creek downstream from Kingsway Playing Fields to Dunheved Golf Course.
The EPA also urges the community to stay clear of any waste, oil residues or affected waterways. Residents who find any material on their properties that they think may be from the fire, should avoid direct contact and report it to the Environment Line on 131 555. NSW Health advises if you have direct contact with the waterway or material from the fire, wash your skin with soap and water.
Road closures and exclusion zones remain in place for public safety. Residents in the surrounding area are being letterboxed with information advising them to avoid contact with local waterways and providing advice to businesses who may have been affected by liquid waste, oils or residues from the incident.
A Clean Up Notice has been issued to Cooper’s Environmental requiring immediate action to stop pollution leaving the site and to remove impacted material.
Businesses affected by liquid waste or residues from the incident are encouraged to seek advice from qualified professionals, such as occupational hygienists, to understand any site-specific risks.
Residents can contact the Environment Line for further information and check our website: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Working-together/Community-engagement/updates/greater-sydney/north-st-marys-fire
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