Action taken over Cleanaway fire
Issued: 22 Jul 2020
Queensland’s environmental regulator has taken action following Sunday’s fire at the Cleanaway recycling facility at New Chum.
An Environmental Protection Order (EPO) has been issued to the company.
The EPO requires Cleanaway to:
- by August 3, investigate what caused the fire, review the security arrangements of the premises and provide a written report to the department;
- by August 3, engage the services of an independent, appropriately qualified person to investigate the current stockpile management processes and fire management arrangements; and
- by August 31, the independent, appropriately qualified person, is to provide a report, including a list of recommendations, to the department.
Cleanaway’s activities at New Chum will continue to be monitored, with site visits to be conducted as necessary over the next few days.
This is a timely reminder for all waste and recycling businesses to ensure they are doing everything in their power to prevent similar kinds of incidents at their facilities.
This fire was particularly concerning due to its proximity to a residential area.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services attended the fire at 4.25pm on Sunday afternoon and report that the fire was fully contained by 7.45pm.