Decision 'stinks'
Newcastle Herald
Thursday October 2, 2008
RUTHERFORD residents have been incensed by a NSW Land and Environment Court decision allowing an industrial company to continue operating, despite unresolved allegations of it being the source of foul odour pollution for several years.
The court granted the waste oil recycling factory Truegain permission yesterday for an extension of a stay on an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) order, which had suspended its operation from September 30. The court judgement directed the company and EPA to seek the first available hearing date so evidence on the pollution allegations could be heard as soon as possible.Company spokesman Bob Pullinger said yesterday's decision was a win for common sense and came as an enormous relief to the 30 staff employed by Truegain."There's been plenty of hearsay and hysteria swirling around the entire Rutherford industrial site in recent times. What's been missing is facts and conclusive evidence," Mr Pullinger said.Rutherford resident Karen Turner said: "The court decision is extremely disappointing, but we will continue to fight until action is taken."It's unbelievable that despite extensive evidence about the odours, a string of warnings and finally the EPA's order to suspend operations, the company is still able to continue on."The court judgement said the stay would be extended because the company may have caused little, or none, of the environmental harm the community has been complaining about.While the odour did not cause irreparable damage, if the factory was closed, its staff would be without pay and the company's operations may be irreparably damaged.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald