Bio-Organics PTY LTD has lodged an appeal to be considered by Environment Minster Albert Jacobs after Western Australian authorities shut down the controversial business last month.
The Department of Environment Regulation (DER) revoked the Oakford compost business’ license on June 27 after serious environmental issues were raised in Parliament last year.
An Office of Appeals spokesperson confirmed Bio-Organics had appealed DER’s decision to revoke the company’s license and issue a closure notice however there was currently no time frame on when the appeal would be resolved due to the complexity of the issue and response time from other agencies.
The appeal will be investigated by the WA authority, including obtaining a response from the DER, before it would be taken to Mr Jacobs for the final decision.
Shadow Minister for Environment Chris Tallentire first raised the issue in Parliament in October last year, where he said the unknown liquid waste processed by Bio-Organics produced “sewerage-type smells that are so acute that people are woken up in the middle of the night”.
DER said at the time the company followed the Environmental Protection Authority’s recommendation of a separation distance of 150 metres, however the Department of Health’s boundary regulation was 1000m.
It is still not known what liquid waste had been used on the site and DER said the information would not be released by the government department after the draft decision had been settled.
Bio-Organics is in a legal battle with the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, with a three-day trial set for November this year regarding the site’s planning approval.
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