The parent company of Benalla mill D&R Henderson, Monsbent Pty Ltd, has had seven charges laid against it by the Environment Protection Authority.
The EPA is pursuing the charges under the Environment Protection Act 1970 following a comprehensive investigation into emissions from the D&R Henderson particle board manufacturing facility in Benalla.
Five of the charges allege that samples taken from the premises for testing showed that emissions of particles, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen all exceeded the limits specified in the company’s EPA-issued licence to operate the facility.
Two additional charges allege that nuisance particles were being allowed to leave the premises and that the company had failed to notify EPA of the breaches, which is required as a condition of the same EPA-issued licence to operate.
Breaching the conditions of the EPA licence is a criminal offence under section 27(2) of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
EPA guidelines regarding the licensing of industry are available at epa.vic.gov.au
As the matter is now before the courts, EPA will not comment further.
D&R Henderson's manufacturing general manager Richard Kain told the Ensign on Thursday that the company would not be providing comment on the matter.
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