The smell, triggered by warm weather and caused by Mackay Casings waste-water treatment plant, was first brought to the attention of the Environment Protection Authority Victoria in January after hundreds of residents living near the Shanley Street factory complained.

Over the course of the year, the EPA issued three pollution abatement notices with the final one requesting the company install controls that prevented untreated odorous emissions, generated through processing and waste-water pits, venting directly into the atmosphere.

EPA North East manager Clare Kiely said by emitting the smell, the company breached a licence condition that stated it was not to release offensive odour further than the factory.

The $7000 is the flat fine for any company in the state that breaches its licence.

Ms Kiely said the company had addressed the pollution abatement notices which required it to implement a waste-water treatment management system that involved increasing the aeration of its pond with the aim of reducing the odour and to monitor the impact of it on the odour.

She said Mackay Casings was working with the EPA to achieve the goal.

“We want to work with the companies to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Ms Kiely said.

She said residents had the right not to be impacted by the activities of industry.

“EPA will continue to monitor compliance at this site and it is expected that there will be a combination of short and long term works required,” she said.

Ms Kiely is reminding people to report to the EPA if they ever experience offensive odour by calling 1300 372 842.

“They are our nose on the ground,” she said.

Mackay Casings director Glenn Canny did not respond to calls from The Border Mail yesterday.