The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered an independent audit of the contentious Out St operation.

The move comes after the company was issued with an official caution following an effluent spill at its Taminda site late last year.

Local EPA manager Simon Smith said it was vital both the community and the regulator had confidence Baiada was meeting its obligations. 

“A mandatory, legally-binding audit carried out by an independent third party will achieve this,” he said.

“The mandatory audit will investigate how odour, noise, water and waste are managed at the site.

“It will identify any potential problems with the current operation and make recommendations of how things should be improved.”

Baiada self-reported to the EPA on December 20 last year after discovering effluent had spilled into a stormwater drain.

The EPA conducted a nine-month investigation before concluding the leak was “relatively small” and “did not cause environmental harm”.

However, in response to the spill and “a number of complaints from local residents since”, it decided to add the audit to the company’s environment protection licence.

In a statement to The Leader, a Baiada spokesman emphasised that last year’s spill did not pose a threat to the environment.

“Following an incident that did not result in environmental harm at the company’s Out St processing premises ... (Baiada) have reached an agreement with the EPA to undertake an environmental audit at the site,” the spokesman said.

“Baiada believe that this will deliver a positive outcome for both the site and the community.”

The company has until January 31 to submit a draft copy of the auditor’s report to the EPA for review.

A final report, containing conclusions and recommendations, will be published on the regulator’s public register.