Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has issued a Works Approval with strict conditions for the construction of a proposed animal by-products processing facility at Parwan.
L & G Meats Pty Ltd proposes to construct multiple protein recovery plants to convert animal by-products into usable materials including tallow, oil and protein rich meal, with onsite wastewater treatment and recycled water irrigation.
The proposed facility at 3922 Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road, Parwan, has been granted planning permission from the Moorabool Shire Council, but will also require an EPA licence to operate, if it is to proceed.
The EPA Works Approval applies strict conditions governing the control of odour, liquids, wastewater and construction noise. The company must also develop a plan for engaging the community and responding to any complaints – the plan must be put to EPA for approval before the plant can be commissioned.
The proposed protein recovery facility (PRF) would consist of five protein recovery plants, three boiler houses, five biofilters, an administration building, a workshop and tallow bulk liquid storage tank farms.
The proposed protein recovery operations would be housed in fully enclosed buildings designed to capture and treat any odours.
The proposed facility would accept by-products from meat, fish and other animal product processing industries, and would operate up to 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, processing up to 51 tonnes of animal by-product per hour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EPA Works Approvals are required under the Environment Protection Act 1970 for industrial and waste management activities that have the potential for significant environmental impact. Where a Works Approval is granted, it includes specific environmental conditions the company must meet for the project to go ahead.
The L & G Meats proposal was advertised in the Herald Sun, the Ballarat Courier and the Bacchus Marsh Ballan Moorabool News in January, and public comments were accepted up until 13 February 2020.
EPA received two submissions objecting to the proposal, which were addressed by L & G. The application was also referred to Moorabool Shire Council, Western Water and Port Philip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority for comment.
EPA published the company's Works Approval application, and other documents including the public submissions, on the Engage Vic website, at https://engage.vic.gov.au/epa-works-approvals/l-g-meats.
