Environmental Protection Authority issues EPN to Spectran Group for Reprocess site

A Tasmanian waste processor has been told to pull its socks up or risk a hefty fine over activities at a site in Risdon Vale. Here’s what its been called out for.

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 waste processor could face fines of up to $200,000, if it does not make changes to its Risdon Vale operations, which Tasmania’s environmental watchdog says is potentially causing harm.

Reprocess Tas, which sits across 20 and 42 Scotts Road, has been the subject of complaints by nearby residents in the suburb, who told the Mercury in March they were “fed up” with ‘dust and noise pollution.’

Risdon Vale Residents Garry Witt, Regina Williams, and Irena Luckus were among residents who were fed up with certain activities at Reprocess. Picture: Linda Higginson

Earlier this year, Spectran Group, the company which owns Reprocess Tas, was fined $40,000 by Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), for unlawful disposal of a “significant” amount of waste at a private property at Pawleena, north of Sorell.

The company has been in the process of applying for retrospective approval for “level two” industrial activity at its Risdon Vale sites.

In April the EPA told the Mercury it had paused enforcement action for the offence of operating without a permit because it was making an assessment related to the application.

On Monday the watchdog issued an environmental protection notice (EPN) to Reprocess Tas.

In the notice, EPA director Wes Ford said the operation of a waste reprocessing and storage facility at the sites was causing, or likely to be causing “serious or material environmental harm or environmental nuisance”

“There is a lengthy history of local resident’s complaints about loss of amenity due to activities on the land,” he said.

EPA Director Wes Ford.

“Complaints include the emissions of dust, odour and noise, at times outside of normal operating hours, as well as the contamination of the creek discharging from the land.

“Sufficient preventive measures have not been adopted despite being commercially

available, and relatively inexpensive.”

He said the activity included receiving and processing waste, including construction and demolition waste.

The processing activity included crushing, grinding, washing, screening and shredding.

“I am satisfied that it is necessary to prohibit or limit some of the activities currently conducted on the land, to minimise environmental harm and nuisance likely to be caused by the activity and to secure compliance with the general environmental duty,” Mr Ford said.

The site at Risdon Vale. Picture: Linda Higginson

A number of conditions are attached to the notice, which the company is now required to comply with, or risk being fined.

The company can receive and store waste concrete and rock, but it may not be crushed or grinded.

Some materials are not allowed to be stored at the site, including scrap metal, engineered stone, and fish waste.

Within three months, the company needs to develop a fire management plan for timber stockpiles, and stockpiles are not allowed to be higher than 5 metres.

Dust and odours produced by the operations must be controlled if they go past the boundaries of the properties.

There are also time restrictions on noise caused by activities at the site, if there is a “human sleep disturbance”.

For example, certain activities must not be undertaken within the hours of 7:30am and 5pm on weekdays.

Polluted stormwater from the land must be collected and treated before being discharged, to prevent serious or material environmental harm or nuisance.

A public complaints register must also be maintained.

Non compliance carries the potential of a maximum court imposed penalty of $200,000 and an infringement notice penalty of $2000 per offence.

A Reprocess Tas spokesperson said it was examining the notice and “working within its terms.”

“Reprocess Tas is working closely with the EPA and the Clarence City Council whilst Council is assessing the Development Application (DA) for the 20 and 42 Scotts Road Risdon Vale,” they said.

The processor has the option of appealing the notice.