The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued Veolia Environmental Services with a prevention notice requiring it to carry out actions to address operating and pollution control issues causing odours at its Woodlawn Landfill in Tarago.
The notice follows an EPA investigation into offensive odours that identified significant problems with Veolia’s landfill gas capture and leachate (landfill liquid) management systems.
NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations Stephen Beaman said these issues are contributing to the persistent offsite odours reported by the community and must be addressed.
“Since mid-March, the Tarago community has been experiencing unacceptable and ongoing odours linked to Veolia’s operation of the landfill, including poor management of systems designed to reduce environmental and community impacts,” Mr Beaman said.
“Landfill operators have an obligation to the community to ensure their operations are run to the highest environmental standards, which is why we’re requiring Veolia to act as a matter of urgency.
“This prevention notice prioritises actions designed to limit odour impacts on the community and lift the overall environmental performance of the landfill.”
Under the terms of the prevention notice, Veolia is required to submit an independently prepared, short-term action plan to the EPA within eight weeks outlining measures to reduce leachate levels and improve landfill gas capture. All measures must be commenced within four months.
To limit further odour impacts on the community, Veolia must also:
- Increase the frequency of landfill leachate level monitoring
- engage an independent expert to conduct regular landfill gas monitoring
- engage an independent qualified consultant to carry out regular inspections of the landfill site, along with odour surveys on and around the premises
- submit weekly reports to the EPA outlining progress against all required actions, including monitoring results and photographic evidence of works undertaken.
Community members impacted by odours are encouraged to report them to the EPA’s Environment Line by emailing [email protected].
More information about our regulation of Veolia’s Woodlawn Eco Precinct can be found on the EPA website here: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/Working-together/Community-engagement/updates-on-issues/Woodlawn-Eco-Precinct-Tarago
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