[ad_1]
Cockburn MLA David Scaife has welcomed a guilty verdict handed down to Cockburn Cement for causing pollution and unreasonable odour, an issue that has dogged local residents for many years.
On December 1, Cockburn Cement Limited was found guilty of six counts and acquitted of the remaining seven charges of breaching the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
“As both the Member for Cockburn and resident of Beeliar who experiences the odour from Cockburn Cement, I’m pleased they have been held responsible for their actions and believe these convictions, together with public pressure, will encourage them to clean up their act,” Mr Scaife said.
“After pressure from myself and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Cockburn Cement have agreed to conduct an odour reduction trial over this summer period, which I welcome and will be monitoring closely.
“I love living in Beeliar and wouldn’t live anywhere else, so I implore Cockburn Cement to immediately invest in the technologies and engineering processes needed to eliminate odour in the area.”
Each of the charges the company faces carries a maximum fine of $125,000 and an extra $25,000 for every day of offending.
But some local residents have implored Mr Scaife to lobby Environment Minister Reece Whitby to set the penalties at a more effective level.
“I’m aware that some residents believe the maximum penalties under the Environmental Protection Act should be set higher and I’ll be raising their concerns with the Minister,” Mr Scaife said.
A Cockburn Cement spokesperson said that while the verdict on the six charges was disappointing, the team was focused on conducting trials as per the Works Approval to reduce potential odour in the kiln stacks.
“Being a long-term social and economic partner to the community means continuously focusing on ongoing improvements while we continue (to) operate the Munster site while delivering benefits to the community and Western Australia,” the spokesperson said.
The matter has been adjourned before sentencing in early 2023.
[ad_2]
Source link
