A waste company in Sydney’s west has been fined $280,000 over a vile-smelling dump that has caused ‘very real psychological and physical harm’ to residents.
Dial-A-Dump, which was acquired as a subsidiary of Bingo Industries in 2019, was ordered to pay the fine after a court found an offensive odour coming from the company’s Eastern Creek landfill which made nearby residents’ lives a year-long misery.
The decision was handed down in the Land and Environment Court on March 20, after the company pleaded guilty to causing or permitting the putrid odour coming from its tip at Honeycomb Drive in 2021.
The Environmental Protection Agency said it would take the waste facility to court in 2022, after receiving 800 complaints by fed-up households in Minchinbury, Mount Druitt, St Clair, Rooty Hill, Doonside and Blacktown.
Dial-A-Dump, which was acquired as a subsidiary of Bingo Industries in 2019, was ordered to pay the fine after a court found an offensive odour coming from the company’s Eastern Creek landfill which made nearby residents’ lives a year-long misery
‘The court handed down the penalties after noting many residents affected by the odour suffered very real psychological and physical harm, as well as considerable harm to their amenity for several months,’ a spokesperson said.
The ‘rotten egg’ stench caused residents to suffer ‘throat and eye irritation, coughing, breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, stress and anxiety,’ the Penrith Press reported.
Residents said the constant stench was so bad it stopped them from having mates over for BBQs, hanging their washing in the line and made them depressed.
The court heard from locals who submitted statements, including one woman who said the odour forced her to stay indoors.
At least four others claimed they were ‘unable to sleep’ during that time.
It is understood that Dial-a-Dump has taken steps to prevent future offensive odours and hired a full-time landfill manager to demonstrate the company’s unlikeliness to reoffend
It is understood that Dial-a-Dump has taken steps to prevent future offensive odours and hired a full-time landfill manager to demonstrate the company’s unlikeliness to reoffend.
Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the community has had enough of being exposed to air and water pollution.
He also said the residents’ wellbeing is paramount, and that it’s unacceptable for any organisation to neglect their responsibilities.
In addition to the fine, Dial-a-Dump was ordered to pay investigation and legal costs, of approximately $365,000, and undertake a letterbox drop publicising the conviction and penalty to almost 70 surrounding streets.