Friday 5th February 2021

Residents seek shelter from noxious fumes. 

On June 15, 2020, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was contacted by the Muswellbrook community after noticing a pungent smell.

The smell appeared to immediately follow a blast which occurred at Muswellbrook’s Mount Pleasant Mine.

Residents reported that they needed to seek shelter from the noxious fumes. The EPA investigated several issues of concern, including effects on the local community.

A penalty notice for $15,000 has been issued to MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd by the EPA for failing to warn the neighbouring community of the potential of exposure to blast fumes.

EPA Acting Director Operations Brett Nudd said: “This incident was predictable and preventable, and the community should not have been impacted in this way".

Full article can be found on the EPA NSW website

NSW venue fined after failing to produce COVID-19 safety plan. 

Fairfield City Police Area Command attended a function venue located on The Boulevarde at Fairfield Heights on February 3, 2021, to complete a compliance check.

Members of the public had raised concerns the venue wasn’t complying with the Public Health Orders.

Police will allege the 43-year-old man they spoke with couldn’t produce a copy of the venue’s COVID-19 safety plan. It also appeared the venues CCTV was not operational, which is a breach of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

Original article published by Police NSW