Heddon Greta Skip Bin Company Hit with Hefty Fine

BY JESSICA ROUSE

They've only been in operation for six months, but already a Heddon Greta skip bin company has been hit with a hefty fine for illegally dumping waste.

Needa Skip Bin was fined $15,000 for taking 12 loads of waste to a property in Keinbah near Kurri Kurri  - using it to fill depressions in the land.

The waste included bricks, masonry and concrete.

It was also found that they burnt timber and asbestos on the property.

The Environmental Protection Authority has also ordered the company to remove the waste from the property as well as pay the fine.

Funding Announced to Prevent Illegal Dumping

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The Environmental Protection Authority has announced more than $75,000 towards combating illegal dumping in Lake Macquarie.

This funding will be used to establish fencing, gates and signage to control access to bushland areas around the city in an attempt to protect the city's bushland and public spaces.

There will be a particular emphasis on protecting dumping hotspots around the Lake Macquarie area, including Barnsley, Edgeworth and Awaba.

Council's Acting Manager of Sustainability Dean Chapman says this funding will be very beneficial for the Council, and encourages any person who has knowledge about possible cases of illegal dumping not to remain silent.

Incidents of illegal dumping can be reported at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au, or by phone to Council at 4921 0333.

An example of illegal dumping
Source: ABC News

Williamtown RAAF Base Recieving Report on Health Concerns

BY BRIDGET GUNN

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has received a draft Human Health Risk Assessment report regarding the heath risks associated with contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base.

The report should provide the EPA with the information necessary to review the precautionary restrictions and extent of the investigation area that has taken place over the last year.

This information will be used to develop a more effective medical health service for the Williamtown community.

Williamtown RAAF Base
Source: KOFM

Orica to Increase Ammonia Production

Orica has had its proposal to increase ammonia production at its Kooragang Island facility approved by the Department of Planning.

Under the application, Orica will increase its production from 350 000 to 385 000 tonnes per annum.

It into public exhibition in June of 2015, with returns coming from Newcastle Council, Fair Work NSW and the Environment Protection Authoirty.

No community submissions were lodged.

While ammonium production will increase, the application did not included the production of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate.

Noisy Neighbours

Police have praised Groovin the Moo revellers however Maitland residents were not so impressed with the noise levels.

Acts began performing at Maitland Showground around 11am and finished up around 10.30pm.

One residents complained to 2NUR.FM  that he could hear the event from 5 kilometres away.

Inspector Brain Tracy said the event often receives complaints from nearby residents and one of the headline acts did breach the Environment Protection Authority noise levels.

“Later on in the evening, around about 9.30pm one of the headlining acts was on, and the noise was very loud compared to the other acts. So we had our licencing police check with the event organisers… for a short time they were over (the EPA) limits so the music was turned straight down,” Inspector Tracy said.

The event at Maitland show ground attracted more than 16,000 people; police reported only 27 arrests for drug possession.

“We found that the audience was generally over eighteen,” Inspector Tracy said, “for that many people to have very minimal arrests and drug possessions, we were pretty happy with it.”

Police say this year’s festival behaviour  was moderately better than previous years. 

EPA to commission Rutherford odour sampling

Years of complaints from Rutherford residents have finally prompted a investigation into mysterious odours at the Rutherford industrial estate.

The decision follows the receipt of the finished Rutherford Odour Investigation Project, an independent report, which recommends comprehensive testing be undertaken on at least nine sites of the industrial estate.

 Minister for the Environment and Heritage Robyn Parker said the NSW government is committed to addressing residents' concerns about potential odours near the industrial estate.

The EPA has taken on the advice and will today begin the process of advertising tenders for the odour sampling and modelling work.