Company fined after failure to alert EPA of fire
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined company QSSR Pty Ltd $8,000 after it failed to notify the EPA regarding a pollution incident at its Shoalhaven recycling facility in Bomaderry in November last year.
EPA Director Regulatory Operations Regional South Nigel Sargent said the EPA became aware of the incident through media reports five hours after the fires had started.
“The fire impacted a large stockpile of waste, the awning of an onsite building, as well as nearby vegetation,” Mr Sargent said.
“Smoke from the fire impacted on residential areas and also drifted on to a nearby industrial estate and in Bomaderry. Water from firefighting operations was discharged towards a local waterway.”
Site workers alerted Fire & Rescue NSW after a fire broke out in a stockpile of waste at the premises but failed to notify the EPA as required to ensure precautions are taken when a pollution incident threatens to cause harm to the environment.
Mr Sargent said QSSR is required by a condition of their environment protection licence to notify the EPA under these circumstances.
“The earlier the EPA becomes aware of a pollution incident, the quicker we can provide advice on mitigation measures that will minimise further harm to the environment.”
Anyone who has information about a potential pollution incident should contact the EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555 to make a report.