The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has concluded its assessment of a proposal by Simplot Australia Pty Ltd for an increase in the vegetable processing capacity at 81-83 Devonport Road, Quoiba in the municipality of Devonport City.
The current operation has appropriate approvals for a processing capacity of up to 28,000 kilograms of refrigerated vegetable product per hour. The upgrade proposed is to increase production to 36,500 kilograms of refrigerated vegetable product per hour, however there will not be an increase in total annual processing capacity which is set at 75,000 tonnes per annum.
The EPA Executive Director, Environmental Assessments, Dr Martin Read, who made the determination under delegation from the EPA Board, concluded that the proposed development can be managed in an environmentally sustainable and acceptable manner, with certain conditions. The Board requires these conditions to be included in any permit subsequently granted by the Devonport City Council.
“Various environmental issues were considered in the assessment, particularly existing noise emissions and how they will be addressed to reduce the likelihood of environmental nuisance occurring at nearby sensitive receptors" Dr Read said.
Public consultation was open for 28 days from 27 July to 24 August 2024 and no representations were received.
The proposal was considered by the Board's delegate in the context of the sustainable development objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System of Tasmania (RMPS), and in the context of the objectives of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control System (EMPCS) established by the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 EMPCA).
The functions of the EPA are to administer and enforce the provisions of EMPCA, to further the RMPS and EMPCS objectives and, in particular, to use its best endeavours to protect the environment of Tasmania.
The delegate undertook assessment of the proposal in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Principles defined in Section 74 of the Act.
The environmental assessment report, including the environmental conditions, has been issued to Simplot Australia Pty Ltd and Devonport City Council.
The decision and all assessment documents in relation to Simplot Vegetable Processing Facility Upgrade, Devonport can be viewed on this website.
Published on:
21/10/2024