Australian Pet Brands (APB) will invest more than $1.375 million in safety upgrades at its Dubbo facility after a serious chemical spill prompted regulatory action from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA has accepted a legally binding Enforceable Undertaking (EU) from APB after approximately 300 litres of phosphoric acid leaked from a faulty valve inside the company’s production tower in August 2023.
The acid spread across multiple levels of the building, requiring cleanup by emergency HAZMAT crews, NSW EPA said in a news release.
EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EU ensures the company is held accountable while working to prevent future incidents.
“This was a serious chemical spill that demanded an emergency services response. Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant,” Gordon said.
The phosphoric acid involved in the incident is commonly used to extend the shelf life of pet food. Under the terms of the EU, APB is required to relocate its acid dosing system from the top to the ground floor and automate previously manual systems, including valve controls for dosing and storage tanks.
Additional improvements will be made to spill containment, worker training, and equipment inspection procedures.
“APB must pay more than a million dollars in major infrastructure upgrades to reduce the likelihood of similar events and ensure any incidents can be contained and addressed quickly and effectively,” Gordon said.
“These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they’ll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored.”
The EPA said it will closely monitor APB’s progress and compliance with the agreement through detailed reporting.
As part of the undertaking, APB will also contribute $75,000 to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre, a local facility focused on sustainability education, to support repairs and enhancements to its model wetland teaching space.
“It’s great to see this payment going towards a local environmental project that gives back to the community and helps educate people about wetlands and sustainability,” Gordon added.
Enforceable Undertakings are legally binding agreements used by the EPA to address environmental breaches without proceeding through court, often including community and environmental benefits alongside operational reforms.
