Composting Company Penalised for Major Waste Exceedence
The Environment Protection Authority has issued a significant penalty to a South Coast composting operation for serious environmental compliance failures. Soilco has been fined $30,000 after accepting more than 10,000 tonnes of waste beyond its licensed limit at its facility near Nowra.
Scale of the Breach Equivalent to Hundreds of Truckloads
The company, which operates a composting facility on Wogamia Road in Longreach, west of Nowra, was found to have taken in more than 12,000 tonnes of mulch and garden waste above its approved annual limit of 98,000 tonnes. This substantial exceedence, which was voluntarily reported by Soilco themselves, represents the equivalent of 240 semi-trailer loads of excess waste material.
Repeat Offender Faces Stronger Action for Future Breaches
EPA Executive Director of Operations Steve Beaman revealed this marks the second fine for Soilco within a three-year period, warning that more severe regulatory action would follow any further violations. "By exceeding these limits, companies not only put the environment at risk, but they can also gain a financial advantage over competitors who follow the rules," Mr Beaman stated.
The environmental risks associated with such breaches are particularly concerning given the facility's location adjacent to the Shoalhaven River. Any potential pollution from the site poses a direct threat to the river ecosystem and native aquatic life it supports.
Additional concerns highlighted by the EPA include:
- Increased risk of odour, runoff, and operational failures affecting the local community
- Elevated fire hazard from excess mulch and garden waste
- Potential threats to nearby homes and the Wogamia and Bamarang Nature Reserves
The penalty was formally issued on November 10, 2025, following the company's self-reporting of the compliance failure.
