Risdon Vale residents concerned about operations at Spectran Group’s Scotts Road site

Spectran Group copped a $40k fine for illegally dumping demolition waste, and now a second site operated by the company is under scrutiny. Here’s why nearby residents are upset.

A photo of the Spectran Group site at Risdon Vale, taken on February 27, 2024. Image shows a large pile of waste. Image: Supplied.

A Tasmanian construction company recently fined $40,000 for illegally dumping demolition waste at Pawleena is now under scrutiny for operations at another of its facilities, which residents fear could be putting their health at risk.

Last Monday, Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) revealed Spectran Group had unlawfully disposed of a “significant” amount of construction debris, from Hobart demolition sites, at a private property.

Unlawful waste disposal at a property in Pawleena by Spectran Group. Image: Environment Protection Authority.

Now under the microscope is its site at 20 and 42 Scotts Rd, Risdon Vale, which has been operating without a permit.

Images of the site captured by the Mercury and also supplied by others show a large pile of debris at the site.

The site at Risdon Vale. Picture: Linda Higginson

The operations, which the company says is a reprocessing facility, have neighbours concerned and frustrated.

Why residents are fed up

Risdon Vale resident Regina Williams says her home is affected by dust pollution, drifting over the road from the site.
But that’s not her only concern.

“It’s a full-on waste tip, I call it a tip, dump, refuse,” Ms Williams said.

Risdon Vale Residents Garry Witt, Regina Williams, and Irena Luckus. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It’s the dust, it’s the noise, it’s operating out of hours. It’s also the environment.”

Ms Williams said she and other residents had seen a concrete crusher operating at the site.

“We hear it. We hear the constant crush and the banging,” she said.

Irena Luckus, who also lives in Risdon Vale, was frustrated by how close the operations were to homes.

“There are smells, things like burning rubber and some sort of sewage smell. A real stink. You get up in the morning and it stinks,” she said.

Residents of Risdon Vale who are upset about the operations of Spectran Group. Picture: Linda Higginson

Both residents raised concerns about potential health impacts from exposure to the dust.

Gary Witt, who has lived in Risdon Vale since 1991, also complained about the dust.

“The seams in the roof are packed full of dust. We can’t have the windows down on the house.

“My personal opinion is, the site should be closed.”

The residents told the Mercury they had reported the operations of the site to the Clarence City Council on numerous occasions, but nothing had changed.

What does the facility do?

On its website, Spectran Group says the site is home to a ‘reprocessing’ facility, which began operating in 2021.

“The facility is the first of its kind in Tasmania, offering the construction industry a facility capable of reprocessing old building materials, turning them into high quality, reusable landscape and sub-base products,” the website says.

A development application for a waste storage and processing facility, including

including associated buildings, stockpiling areas and associated works, was recently lodged with the Clarence Council, but it has now been deferred.

The site at Risdon Vale. Picture: Linda Higginson

The council’s website specifies the company is seeking partial, retrospective approval for “level 1 and level 2 activity,” meaning it is seeking a permit for activity already being undertaken.

The website said a new application for 20 and 42 Scotts Rd would be subject to a new assessment by the council and by the EPA.

The Mercury asked Spectran Group chief operating officer Dale Barron whether the company held permits to undertake industrial activity at the site.

“The site adheres to strict health, safety, and environmental controls, with regular monitoring and testing for dust migration, stormwater, and surface water quality, with reports reviewed by CCC (Clarence City Council),” he told the Mercury.

“ReProcess Tas activities are regulated by CCC, based on activity types and resource recovery thresholds.”

He said the application had been deferred due to a clerical error.

“The business is transitioning from a Level 1 to a Level 2 activity, where EPA Tasmania and the CCC will regulate activities under a planning permit,” Mr Barron said.

Spectran Group’s response to neighbours’ claims

Mr Barron said the company welcomed inquiries from the community, but that questions about its operations should be directed to the Clarence council.

“Any concerns raised by a member of the local community can be discussed with CCC who, in turn, will investigate the matter with Spectran Group,” Mr Barron said.

In response to questions about the concrete crusher, Mr Barron confirmed concrete was processed on site.

“The business operates a reprocessing system that diverts concrete from landfill to be repurposed as recovered aggregates, to be used in local construction projects,” he said.

The Clarence City Council declined to answer whether it had inspected or investigated the Risdon Vale site, whether any warnings had been issued and if it had taken action against Spectran Group over its lack of a permit.

Response from Clarence Council and EPA

The EPA told the Mercury it had received four complaints about dust emissions at the Reprocess facility, between January last year and February this year.

“These complaints were referred to the environmental regulator, Clarence City Council,” an EPA spokesperson said.

“Council followed up with complainants and continues to investigate several potential dust sources along Scotts Road.

“The EPA is not aware of evidence that indicates there is a current public health risk caused by the Reprocess operations at Risdon Vale.

“The Reprocess facility at Risdon Vale is currently undergoing environmental assessment. The EPA is assessing activities at the facility that may have a significant impact on human health and environmental quality.”

Clarence City Council confirmed the Risdon Vale land was zoned ‘light industrial’.

“Clarence City Council will always respond and investigate legitimate complaints with reference to land use,” Clarence Mayor Brendon Blomeley said.

AFL High Performance Centre, City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Rosny. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The health, safety and wellbeing of all our residents is absolutely paramount.”

Originally published as Risdon Vale residents concerned about operations at Spectran Group’s Scotts Road site