Metal recycler fined $250,000

A metal recycler in Sydney’s west has been fined $250,000 after pleading guilty to breaching the approval conditions of its facility.

The Department of Planning and Environment’s Deputy Secretary for Development Assessments David Gainsford said the Land and Environment Court judgment is a result of prosecution brought against Sell & Parker following an investigation.

“Our compliance officers found the company was receiving more waste at its Kings Park site than it could under its development consent,” Mr Gainsford said.

“The company received more than 195,000 tonnes of waste in 2016 and 268,000 in 2017, well above the temporary limit of 90,000 that was in place while other parts of the facility were being commissioned and assessed.”

Mr Gainsford said the Department regularly places strong conditions on projects it assesses, to ensure the best outcome for the community and the environment.

“It is vital applicants follow those conditions,” he said.

“Our compliance team conducts spot checks without warning, and regular inspections and audits, and works with companies to ensure they are sticking to the rules.

“This ensures the community can feel confident in the state’s planning system and knows it is getting the best outcomes from every project.”

In addition to the total fine of $250,000, Sell & Parker was ordered to pay the Department’s $269,630 legal costs, and publish notices in various newspapers and its website outlining the offences.