The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Remondis Australia Pty Ltd $42,000 for two offences relating to odour problems at its Lake Macquarie Organics Resource Recovery Facility near Awaba.
In June 2025, the EPA received over 70 complaints about offensive odours coming from the site. The issues followed heavy storms in May, which dumped more than 350mm of rain and left organic material on the facility waterlogged. This caused strong odours to affect nearby residents.
The EPA responded with community odour surveys, site inspections, and issued a Clean-Up Notice in July. The notice required Remondis to engage independent experts to investigate site management and recommend solutions.
David Gathercole, EPA Director Operations, said odour complaints have dropped significantly since early July but stressed the seriousness of the earlier impacts. “We’ve heard the community loud and clear. These odours are unacceptable, and the facility’s operator must lift its performance,” he said.
The two penalty infringement notices relate to the emission of offensive odours and failure to properly maintain a leachate drain, which manages contaminated water onsite.
The Remondis facility processes kerbside food and garden organics (FOGO) collected from Lake Macquarie households. It operates independently from the nearby Awaba Waste Management Facility.
The EPA will continue monitoring the site to ensure ongoing compliance and minimise impacts on the local community.
Residents affected by odours are encouraged to report them to Remondis on 1300 110 638 and to the EPA Environment Line via info@epa.nsw.gov.au.