The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Port Kembla grain terminal operator Quattro Ports for failing to properly operate a fumigation system – the third such incident in the past two years.
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Quattro Ports uses methyl bromide to fumigate grain in the silos at its Port Kembla operation and holds an EPA-issued licence to use the gas.
The licence places strict conditions on the use of the gas for fumigation, including air emission limits, operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.
The EPA said Quattro Ports exceeded its licenced methyl bromide limit from a silo at the Port Kembla terminal on June 7 – an exceedance that triggered an alarm on site.
“Quattro did not respond to the alarm as the premises was unstaffed. The exceedance continued for seven hours until staff arrived on site in the morning,” the EPA said in a statement.
In another fumigation incident on June 20, Quattro Ports exceeded its licenced methyl bromide limit again, only for a short period.
The EPA has issued Quattro Ports a $15,000 fine for failing to operate the fumigation system properly.
In addition, the company has been told to engage an independent auditor to audit their fumigation activities.
The EPA’s regional operations manager Peter Bloem said methyl bromide was hazardous to plants, animals and people.
“It is also an ozone depleting substance. For these reasons, its use requires vigilant management by staff,’ Mr Bloem said.
“On this occasion the environmental impacts were not significant, however the enforcement action is a reflection of risks posed by methyl bromide use and the need to ensure fumigation complies with licence requirements at all times.”
A Quattro Ports spokesman said the company reported both exceedences to the EPA and investigations had identified they were caused by “minor system/technical issues”.
“There was no actual/physical exceedance, no concentration above the allowable limit at the site boundary, nor any community exposure,” the spokesman said in a statement.
“An action plan is in place to address the system/technical issues and Quattro Ports will undertake an external audit to further improve the fumigation system.
“Quattro Ports takes this matter very seriously and will pay the penalty without delay or contention.”
The latest EPA enforcement action follows a fine of $15,000 issued to Quattro Ports in July 2016 after it exceeded the licenced methyl bromide limits in April that year.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
