The authority’s north-west regional manager Scott Pigdon said the operator Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd received two separate fines after they exceeded landfill gas levels and failed to survey an asbestos cell. 

He said each breach cost the company more than $7500 in fines. 

“While we found methane emissions higher than those set out in the authority licence and guidance documents, the gas is confined within the landfill premise boundary,” he said. 

“As a result the authority has issued a pollution abatement notice to the company requiring works to reduce the issues identified.”

Statewide Recycling Services managing director Nick Kephala said the company was reviewing their rights to appeal the decision.

“We work hard to meet the high standards required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the best practice guidelines, and will continue to do so,” he said.

“The alleged breaches are technical in nature and have had no adverse effect on the environment.  

Dr Pigdon said the operator had been issued with several remedial notices requiring works to be completed at the Stawell site. 

He said authority officers inspected the landfill’s licensed asbestos cell and discovered the cell had not been surveyed, despite it being operational and accepting asbestos. 

He said Statewide Recycling Services Pty Ltd were required to have all landfill cells surveyed annually to determine the quantity of waste and asbestos deposited in the landfill and the remaining airspace available. 

Dr Pigdon said the company had to complete all the survey works, which had now been complied with. 

“The authority expects duty holders to adhere to their licence conditions,” he said. 

“They are the minimum requirements to meet their environmental obligations.

“We’re here to work with our duty holders to help them understand their licence obligations, but we won’t hesitate to take further action if these conditions aren’t adhered too.”