By the Numbers – More than 20 Objectional Odour Charges
A New Zealand company faces more than 20 charges for unlawful discharges of objectionable odour and is also charged with illegally discharging contaminated wastewater.
A finding by the Environment Court that the cumulative effect of low level unpleasant odour can be considered objectionable is being labeled a “landmark” case by Environment Waikato.
The court has ruled that chronic low level odours discharged from a mushroom composting site in Morrinsville are offensive to neighbours and must be contained.
“This is a very significant decision because it is the first time evidence of chronic odour effects have been explicitly dealt with,” Environment Waikato processing industry programme manager David Stagg said. “The court has ruled that the cumulative effect of unpleasant odours can be considered objectionable, even if individual odour events are not bad enough to be considered objectionable on their own.”
Until now, bad smells have been dealt with as individual events. This has prevented the company from expanding its operation.
Further information can be found at the Environment Waikato and NZ Herald websites.
