As February 15 passed, the figurative clock has struck midnight for the Central Victorian Livestock Exchange’s (CVLX) time to make changes to their cleaning practices.
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In an abatement notice handed down to CVLX, it was discovered the hosing down of stock pens was what was resulting in the intensified smell at Miners Rest.
“Current pen cleaning practice using large volumes of water are at odds with the Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) approved through the Works Approval process,” the abatement notice said.
“Thus hosing of yards creates high strength wastewater and using the first flush lagoon to capture and direct these wastewaters to the on premises wastewater treatment plant could contribute to generation of excessive odour emissions.
“These non-approved practices are believed to be strongly contributing to offensive odours being emitted to the residential areas surrounding the premises.”
AAM Investment Group CEO Tim Gallagher said in a statement that these practices have been reduced by up to 65 per cent through a combination of mechanical sweeping, air blowing and collection of animal waste inside pens.
“Amended operational procedures proposed by CVLX have been fully implemented to address concerns and we continue to work with the local community and the EPA to ensure best outcomes for all involved”, he said.
“CVLX is committed to working with the community and the EPA to address concerns raised in the Pollution Abatement Notice.”
CVLX now has until March 1 to present a formal response on the changes to the EPA.
Although these changed have been made, Miners Rest resident Ralph Bleicher remained scratching his head regarding when noticeable change of smell would come at the saleyards.
“Up until today I haven’t noticed any difference in the smell at all,” he said.
Mr Bleicher had previously called the stench ‘absolutely disgusting’ and voiced his fears the smell could drop the value of properties.
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