AN ALTONA North business has been ordered to pay more than $40,000 by the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to an air pollution charge and breach of licence.
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) took Hyde Park Tank Depot Pty Ltd to court after the company let gas into the atmosphere, causing “glue-like odours” to permeate the air as far away as Sunshine.
On 7 February 2012, the business discharged chemical vapours – known as ethyl acrylate – while washing an ISO transport container.
The company was also fined $25,000 back in 2012 for the same offence.
A statement from the EPA said during the latest case, the “offensive odour” forced some residents of the West to stay indoors or leave the area to avoid the smell.
“Residents also complained of various physical symptoms as a result of being exposed to the ethyl acrylate vapours,” the statement said.
Chemical experts provided the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court with reports on the potentially harmful effects of ethyl acrylate.
Ethyl acrylate is rated as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Since the incident, Hyde Park’s Altona North branch has stopped handling and washing bulk ISO containers containing ethyl acrylate.
No conviction has been recorded, but the company will be subject to a 12-month good behaviour bond.The company has been ordered to pay $40,000 to Western Melbourne Catchments Network Incorporated to manage and co-ordinate the funding of a seed production along Kororoit Creek and the Federation Trail at Altona.
Hyde Park was also ordered to pay EPA’s costs of more than $13,825 during the court case.
