The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was one of several government agencies that responded to the fire at a scrap metal recycling business operated by Recycal Pty Ltd in Bridgewater on 6 February 2023.
Officers from the EPA were onsite at the request of Tasmania Fire Service to assess and provide advice on managing potential environmental issues caused by the fire. The EPA, Brighton Council, SES and a local contractor worked promptly to minimise the amount of fire water that discharged to the nearby waterways, including the Jordan River.
The incident may have involved breaches of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).
Therefore, the EPA has initiated a formal investigation into the circumstances and impact of this fire to determine whether any of Tasmania's environmental laws were contravened.
While the investigation is being undertaken, the EPA has issued a direction to Recycal under section 92(1)(l) of the Act.
Members of the public are advised the direction requires Recycal to cease acceptance and removal of any material, currently located at the Recycal Facility, 49-51 Crooked Billet Drive, Bridgewater, until 21 February 2023.
Published on:
8/02/2023