EPA Victoria and SBI settle legal action for the benefit of the community

SBI Landfill Pty Ltd will pay $200,000 for a project to improve the local environment andensure their company directors and key staff undergo further training after the landfill operators reached agreement with EPA Victoria over long running legal action.

The Supreme Court of Victoria has made final orders with consent of parties.

The Supreme Court ordered SBI must make a payment of $200,000 “for the carrying out of a project for the restoration or enhancement of the environment in a public place or for the public benefit.”

In addition, the Court has made ordersmandating SBI’sdirectors and key personnel involved in the environmentalmanagement of the site will undertake an education and training program to be run by a suitably qualified independentprofessional.

The agreement to the orders is an acknowledgement from SBI to the community that it had not complied with its operating licence by failing to contain odour to its site.

While the orders from the court bring an endto EPA Victoria’s civil enforcement action against the company, there are still other legal matters pendingat VCAT.

EPA’s Southern Metropolitan Regional Manager Viranga Abeywickremasaid the orderswere an excellent outcome for the local community.

“A substantial amount of money will now go into improving the local environment, which will have a positive impact for our local community.’’

Mr Abeywickrema said EPA will continue to monitor compliance at the site andwill continue to take strong action if necessary.’’