Derby Industries Pty Ltd operates an intensive piggery at Nambeelup, east of Mandurah, known as CM Farms. Under its licence conditions the piggery was required to store wastewater sludge from decommissioned wastewater ponds in an area that was constructed in a manner to minimise emissions into the surrounding environment.
During compliance inspections in August 2021, officers from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation observed sludge stockpiles from two wastewater ponds being stored with no visible hardstand or liner under them. They were also not bunded as required by the operator’s licence. Water could be seen adjacent to the stockpile.
Derby Industries Pty Ltd was charged with contravening its licence conditions under the Environmental Protection Act (1986), an offence that carries a maximum fine of $125,000.
In the Mandurah Magistrates Court on 20 September 2023 the company was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $788.33 costs.
DWER Executive Director of Compliance and Enforcement, Ruth Dowd, said it was vital for licence holders to comply with their licensing requirements.
“Licence conditions are drafted for the purpose of protecting the environment and operators need to ensure they are aware of, and comply with, those conditions,” she said.
