Pinegro

Location: Mount Wallace and Morwell

SPM has been working extensively with Pinegro, a leading manufacturer of landscape and garden products, to secure EPA approval for their operations at the Morwell and Mount Wallace sites in Victoria. This involves addressing potential environmental impacts associated with composting and waste processing activities.

Here’s an Outline of SPM’s Likely Involvement:

Morwell Site:

1. Development Licence Amendment:
   SPM assisted Pinegro in obtaining a development licence amendment from the EPA to revise their proposed expansion and upgrades to their existing organic waste processing facility. This involved:
   • Increased Capacity:
     Supporting Pinegro’s application to increase compost production and process a wider range of organic waste materials, including food organics and green organics (FOGO), biosolids, and commercial food waste.
   • Environmental Impact Assessment:
     Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the potential environmental impacts of the expanded operations, focusing on air quality, odour, noise, and water quality.
   • Mitigation Measures:
     Developing and implementing effective mitigation measures to address identified impacts, such as enclosed in-vessel composting systems, air management systems, and open-air windrow composting with appropriate controls.

Mount Wallace Site:

1. Development Licence Exemption Application:
   SPM spearheaded the preparation and submission of a comprehensive development licence exemption application to EPA Victoria. This involved:
   • Detailed Site Assessment:
     Conducting a thorough assessment of the proposed site to evaluate potential environmental impacts, including stormwater management, noise and odour control, and traffic management.
   • Waste Acceptance Criteria:
     Defining clear waste acceptance criteria to ensure only suitable organic waste streams are processed at the facility, minimising potential environmental risks.
   • Composting Technology:
     Evaluating the proposed composting technology and processes to ensure compliance with EPA standards and best practice guidelines for odour management and pathogen control.
2. Risk Management and Monitoring Program:
   SPM helped develop and implement a comprehensive Risk Management and Monitoring Program (RMMP) for the Mount Wallace site. This includes:
   • Odour Management Plan:
     Developing a detailed plan to manage potential odour issues, outlining procedures for prevention, response, and reporting. This includes measures to reduce odour and minimise environmental and human health impacts.
   • Site Management Procedures:
     Establishing procedures for managing various environmental aspects, such as dust suppression, litter control, and stormwater management.
   • Monitoring and Reporting:
     Implementing a monitoring program to track environmental performance and ensure compliance with EPA requirements.

Across Both Sites:

• Community Engagement:
  SPM facilitated communication between Pinegro and the local communities surrounding both sites to address concerns and ensure transparency about their operations.
• Ongoing Compliance:
  SPM provides ongoing support to Pinegro to ensure continued compliance with EPA regulations and the conditions of their development licence, operating licence, and RMMP. This involves regular audits, environmental monitoring, and reporting.

By effectively managing environmental risks and ensuring compliance with EPA requirements, SPM has been helping Pinegro with operations at both the Morwell and Mount Wallace sites, allowing them to continue providing valuable organic waste processing and composting services.