SKM Recycling plant Coolaroo fined over EPA notice breach

SKM Recycling plant in Coolaroo — scene of a horror fire in 2017 — has been fined nearly $8000 by the EPA.

SKM Recycling plant in Coolaroo has been fined nearly $8000 by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for breaching a remedial notice.

SKM Recycling was issued a notice in December last year which required the company to install controls to prevent contaminated waste storage run-off from entering the stormwater system.

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But a compliance inspection in June revealed SKM had failed to meet the requirements.

“Stormwater drains were found to contain waste, as well as a brown liquid, which had flowed from piles of stockpiled waste glass,” EPA stockpile taskforce manager Danny Childs said.

The stormwater drains flow into the nearby Merylnston Creek, arriving at Jack Roper Reserve in Broadmeadows.

Mr Childs said samples of the dark brown liquid contained organic compounds which could harm fish.

“It’s disappointing that SKM didn’t implement the EPA requirements under the notice, even after additional time was granted,”Mr Childs said.

The EPA is continuing to investigate an 11-day fire which broke out at the recycling plant on July 13, 2017.

At the height of the blaze, hundreds of nearby residents were forced to evacuate due to concerns over poor air quality and 11 people were hospitalised.

Since then, the EPA has carried out 28 site inspections and issued six legally enforceable notices, requiring clean-up and pollution actions.

Hume Council director of corporate services Daryl Whitfort said visitors to Jack Roper Reserve should exercise caution when using the lake.

“Council has installed permanent signs to inform people of the variable water quality conditions, advising against contact with the water,” he said.

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