COMPLAINTS from Spring Valley Golf Club members have led to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) fining a Clayton South waste management company.
EPA officers said golfers on the nearby course were put off their swings by “offensive, rotten, garbage-like odours” coming from the landfill.
Pioneer Australia Waste Management, which operates a landfill on Deals Road, has been fined $5000 for breaching its licence, which forbids the discharge of offensive odours beyond its boundary.
It is the second fine the EPA has served on Pioneer in the past month.
EPA Victoria’s south metropolitan regional manager Norm Parris said the odours were unacceptable.
“Urban landfills are a part of modern society and must be run in accordance with best practice, to reduce any impacts on the environment and neighbouring communities.
“EPA’s licensing provisions are designed to ensure that such premises are strictly regulated, ensuring appropriate environmental performance,” he said.
In July, Pioneer was also fined $5000 for littering the golf course with wind-blown plastic bags.
However, Mr Parris said he was pleased with improvements the company had made after receiving the fine.
Pioneer’s waste division project manager Michael Ellsmore said a fixture of events at the golf club enabled them to schedule the landfill’s operations around large events.
“We also use odour nullifiers and masking agents to reduce odour. We have also reduced the size of the tipping face and are in the process of installing an infill landcare gas collection system.”
