EPA south-west region manager Carolyn Francis said an investigation was launched into the Warrumyea Road site after complaints from the community.

“The odour was detected and confirmed by EPA officers, and was described by community members as a very strong rotten dead animal smell that made them feel sick,” Ms Francis said.

Ms Francis described it as “extremely disappointing” that a business within a small community has failed to manage the composting of its waste in a way that ensures it does not impact the surrounding residents and their enjoyment of their own homes.

“Composting reduces the amount of organic waste to landfill. However, the process needs to be appropriately managed so it does not impact on the lives of residents in the surrounding community,” she said.

The company has indicated it will no longer receive some higher risk wastes to the Panmure site due to the contribution to odour it can have. 

Ms Francis said EPA would continue to monitor the site to ensure compliance with all conditions of its EPA licence occurred.

Previously, Statewide Recycling Services was fined $7500 in 2016 for similar odour breaches.

In February this year, the business received approval from the EPA for an in-vessel composting site at Panmure.