A fertiliser company has been fined $15,000 for breaching its environment protection licence at its Kooragang facility.
The EPA says one of its officers saw a vehicle exit Ameropa Australia’s site on January 14, leaving a trail of fertiliser along Greenleaf Road.
“Material on roads can be a major source of pollution from run-off following rain which enters stormwater drains and then waterways; in this case, the Hunter River. That is why it is important that this source of potential pollution is controlled. There is ample evidence of the impacts to waterways from elevated nutrient levels from fertilisers,” said EPA Hunter Manager Adam Gilligan.
“While the company has made efforts to improve surface water management at the premises and implement controls such as wheel washing, it appears there are ongoing issues with tracking of material from the premises.”
The company has also been issued an incident official caution from the EPA for pollution of waters and failing to undertake a licensed activity in a competent manner.
