CMA Recycling Pty Ltd

CMA Recycling (Vic) Pty Limited (formerly trading as Southern Rocycling) is a large recycler and processor of scrap metal based in Ringwood.  Local residents have reported their concerns to EPA about noise from the premises. EPA is committed to working with CMA, Local Councils and the local community to reduce noise from the premises.

Update – November 2009

Maroondah City Council recently issued a Notice of Decision outlining planning permit conditions for CMA’s Ringwood Recycling facility. CMA has appealed the conditions at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Until VCAT determines the planning permit or an earlier Maroondah City Council application for enforcement order against CMA, operations at the facility will be governed by Undertakings, orders and directions  agreed to in a May 2009 VCAT hearing.  

Background

EPA issued a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) to CMA Recycling in July 2008 following an investigation into excessive noise from its Ringwood site. The notice required that the company undertake an assessment of noise from the site identifying all noise sources, and begin works to reduce noise to within SEPP N-1 limits.

EPA has revoked this PAN because CMA has complied with the terms of the notice. EPA will continue to participate in actions aimed at ensuring CMA complies with SEPP N-1 noise limits.

In May 2009, a VCAT hearing was conducted to determine Maroondah City Council’s Application for Enforcement Order against CMA Recycling Victoria Pty Ltd. CMA gave Undertakings to comply with a number of measures to reduce noise from its Ringwood premises, pending requirements to apply for a planning permit for their operations from Maroondah City Council (above). The undertakings include measures to reduce night time noise from CMA’s operations.

In response to community concerns about air emissions from the premises, EPA has reviewed the de-zincing process at CMA and made an assessment of air emission.  The only emissions from the process are expected to be water vapour from the vessels used in the cleaning and processing of the scrap zinc.  Water vapour emissions are not subject to works approval and licensing and therefore no licence is required.

Further information on the Meretec process.