Environment Minister Matt Kean has become to first NSW Environment Minister to issue a
prohibition notice, ordering the owner of the former Truegain waste oil refinery site
in Rutherford to clean up the site of face prosecution from the Environmental Protection agency.
The prohibition notice requires the all storages of waste or substances that could pose a risk to the environment or human health to be removed from the site.
“The owner of this site has been given ample opportunities to fix this
mess, but now enough is enough, it’s time we use every power we have to protect
the environment and the local community.” Mr Kean said.
“After seeing it for myself, it is clear the Truegain site has been left
in a terrible mess and it needs to be cleaned up.”
The Minister says numerous opportunities have been afforded the owner, including one last month, to provide submissions to the EPA in relation to the
site and about this Prohibition Notice.
The EPA has also issued 18 penalty notices to Truegain, successfully prosecuting the company twice
in the NSW Land & Environment Court.
The EPA also suspended Truegain’s environment protection licence in 2016
and revoked its licence on 5 January 2018 and ordered the
landowner to remove all liquid from the premises’ spill containment system and
lawfully dispose of it, and then do so again within 48 hours of any rainfall
event.
The EPA is now monitoring the condition of the site during rain events
and is arranging for removal and lawful disposal of contaminated wastewater as
needed to prevent any discharge of contaminated water to the environment.
Mr Kean said non-compliance with the Notice, which requires removal of
all stored waste at the site, may result in prosecution by the EPA.
“I want to make sure
the community can have confidence that sites are properly maintained and
rehabilitated and that all necessary action is taken to prioritise the health
of the community and protection of the environment,” Mr Kean said.
