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A Waikato processing plant was fined $ 180,000 for causing an odor described as “death mixed with a septic tank” over a period of months and illegally dumping waste products into the Waikato River.
Waikato River Source: istock.com
Tuakau Proteins Ltd pleaded guilty to three counts under the Resource Management Act for the incidents between November 2019 and April 2020, the Waikato Regional Council said today in a statement.
In addition to the fine, Hamilton District Court Judge Melanie Harland also placed an execution order on the company that prohibited it from further discharging unpleasant odors and required that certain improvements be made to the site.
The council prosecuted Tuakau Proteins following dozens of complaints from Tuakau residents about the smell, which some described as “death mixed with a septic tank”, “raw sewage” or “rotten eggs.”
Harland called the company’s offense “reckless,” adding that it had a “significant and profound effect” on the nearby community, as some locals became physically ill from the smell.
The council’s regional compliance manager, Patrick Lynch, said the company and its board of directors, who were present during the sentencing process, received a clear message.
“If this company intends to continue operating on this site, it must do so in a legal manner and without continued detrimental effect on the community or the environment,” he said.
Lynch said there is now a court order that offers “some degree of protection to this community during the coming summer months.”
“The enforcement order is really significant and, in essence, the most powerful regulatory tool available for us to act if there are more violations.
“We are very hopeful that the company will not lose the meaning of this court order.”
