Allowing a smell like a dead animal to adversely impact on Brooklyn residents earned a meat rendering company a $20,000 fine when it appeared in the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court yesterday (August 22).
Australian Tallow Producers Pty Ltd, on Geelong Rd in Brooklyn was found guilty on two charges of allowing odours offensive to humans beyond the boundary of its premises.
The court heard that in February last year EPA Victoria received a number of reports from neighbouring businesses and residents concerned about the odours coming from the site. The odour was described as ‘so offensive it made me nauseous’ or ‘worse than a rotting meat odour it was like a dead carcass’.
An inspection both onsite and in the residential area, by EPA officers confirmed the meat rendering odour had moved offsite.
EPA director Chris Webb said the fine was a victory for the residents of Brooklyn.
“Victorians deserve to not have their lives disrupted and impacted in this way, it has been an uphill battle for those who live and work in the area. This outcome has been a result of their persistence and commitment in wanting their suburb cleaned up but it’s also about the continued effort EPA has made to ensure that happens.
“No one wants to live with the smell of rotting meat or as one resident described it ‘a putrid odour best described as sewage’. This company knows what’s right and wrong and EPA has required it to upgrade its infrastructure.”
Mr Webb said today’s court appearance was a first for the company, however Australian Tallow is facing further charges for alleged odour incidents and failing to comply with its licence.
He said the charges related to alleged incidents in August and September last year and was set down for mention next month.
The company was also ordered to pay EPA costs of $13,300.36 on today’s matter.