Spectran Group in Risdon Vale will be pulled up by Environmental Protection Authority

Tasmania’s environmental watchdog will be issuing an order to a Risdon Vale waste processor. Here’s what they could face if they don’t comply.

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 company, which operates a waste processing facility in Risdon Vale, will be issued an environmental protection notice (EPN) by the state’s environmental watchdog.

Spectran Group has been operating a waste reprocessing facility at 20 and 42 Scotts Road, Risdon Vale, which has been the source of anxiety for residents in the area, who say they’ve been dealing with noise and pollution.

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

The company is currently in the process of applying for retrospective approval with the Clarence Council for “level two” industrial activity.

Last month the Environmental Protection Authority (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 development application.

It also said it had made a preliminary assessment which identified some activities at the site could be in breach of environmental or pollution laws.

Now the company has revealed it intends to issue Spectran Group an EPN.

“Spectran will be required to comply with the requirements outlined in the EPN,” an EPA spokesperson said.

“There are statutory penalties if they do not comply. The maximum court imposed penalty is currently a fine of $195,000.”

The site at Risdon Vale. Picture: Linda Higginson

The EPA was asked what the findings were which led to the notice being issued, but it did not provide this information.

“In consultation with the Clarence City Council, it has been determined that the EPA need to take regulatory control of the site as a level 2 site under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 while the proposed development is progressing through the formal assessment process,” the spokesperson said.

The EPA said there was no order for operations to cease or scale back in relation to the notice it will issue.

A Spectran spokesperson said the company had been advised the notice would be issued.

“We are awaiting correspondence from the EPA and cannot comment on its specifics at the moment,” they said.

“We understand the EPN will provide for site activities to be regulated by the EPA while the Level 2 assessment is being formally undertaken.

They said the company would work with the EPA to make changes.

“We are working with the EPA and we are happy for their involvement. We are awaiting correspondence from the EPA and cannot comment on its specifics at the moment.

They said it was also important to work with residents to find a solution.

“Spectran is committed to working with all stakeholders,” the spokesperson said.