Fire and Environmental Impact Highlighted in Court
Gunnedah Quarry Products Pty Ltd faced a $52,000 fine from the Gunnedah Local Court for breaching its Environment Protection Licence at Marys Mount landfill in Mullaley. This fine, issued on December 2024, includes a $40,000 penalty and $12,000 for the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) legal costs.
Beginning in early December 2024, the company placed large amounts of waste into a landfill cell without proper authorisation. This unauthorised action led to a major fire on December 15, 2024, sending smoke eastward towards Gunnedah.
Residents of Gunnedah experienced significant disruptions due to the fire. They had to keep windows, doors, and vents closed as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze before Christmas.
Scott Kidd, Director of Field Operations at the NSW EPA, emphasised the critical need for proper landfill management. “This incident is a prime example of how important it is to ensure landfills are managed appropriately and to the letter of the law,” Kidd stated.
The EPA investigation revealed that the landfill contained a high volume of combustible materials, such as plastic, timber, and cardboard. These materials were stacked over four meters high, contrary to NSW guidelines, which increased the fire risk.
Fires at waste facilities are difficult to extinguish due to the nature of the materials involved. this fire led to significant environmental impacts and required substantial repair and remediation costs.
Court Ruling and EPA Actions
In court, Gunnedah Quarry Products pleaded guilty to one offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act. The imposed $40,000 fine and $12,000 legal cost coverage were part of the legal consequences.
The EPA responded to the incident with several measures. They issued two Prevention Notices, a Clean Up Notice, and a Licence Variation to the company to address the environmental concerns.
Air monitors were deployed by the EPA to evaluate the smoke’s impact on air quality, ensuring public safety and environmental protection.
The judgment represents the latest step in the EPA’s ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with environmental regulations and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For more information, visit the EPA’s website at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/marys-mount-landfill-fire-gunnedah.
