Quick action by Council and land managers prevents environmental risks

Published on 16 February 2022

Council investigations into two environmental incidents have resulted in positive outcomes, thanks to quick action by the parties involved.

In December 2021, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) asked Council to investigate a local resident’s reports of coloured water discharging from an industrial business in Yamba.

An environmental officer attended the site the same day, and the company operating from the site moved swiftly to rectify concerns. A full site audit was completed the next business day.

Council’s Manager Environment and Regulatory Services, Scott Lenton, welcomed the prompt and proactive response from the industrial business and said quick action saved them from receiving a penalty notice and fine.

Mr Lenton said the same proactive cooperation was recently demonstrated by a rural landowner at Wells Crossing, who had instructed contractors to complete significant earthworks without properly considering soil erosion risks.

Council staff discovered the large area of uncontrolled works during an unrelated building inspection in the vicinity, and an investigation was launched once the Environmental Services team was notified.

Mr Lenton said both incidents could have resulted in significant and ongoing environmental impact and degradation, had it not been for the timely and effective response by council staff and the cooperation of the relevant site managers.

“The Clarence Valley community has made it clear to Council that it values our natural environment, so we take poor site and environmental management practices very seriously,” Mr Lenton said.

“Penalties for environmental pollution can also be very significant in NSW.

 “The cooperative approach by relevant parties to successfully mitigate potentially adverse impacts provides a preferred approach and reduces the likelihood of monetary penalties being issued by Council and other compliance authorities.”