Over $270,000 in costs for piggery operator

A New South Wales piggery operator is facing a bill likely to be over $270,000 following a successful prosecution by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) over poor irrigation and effluent dam management and for providing false or misleading information.

The costs include a $27,000 fine, payment of EPA’s legal costs of $90,000 and the company is required to complete site improvements with an estimated cost of at least $160,000.

The EPA found that the environmental management at the premises was not satisfactory in relation to effluent dam leakages and sludge volumes and irrigation practices causing saturated soils and high soil nutrient balances. The company also failed to submit several monthly reports to the EPA as required by its Environment Protection Licence, but falsely stated this had been done.