GrainCorp Settles Pollution Case Before Trial in Victoria

GrainCorp Settles Pollution Case Before Trial in Victoria

GrainCorp, a major Australian agribusiness, has reached a settlement in a pollution lawsuit just before it was set to go to trial in northern Victoria. The case involved Kevin Carling Green, 63, who has been in a legal battle with GrainCorp Oilseeds for four years over noise and odor emissions from its canola oil processing facility in Numurkah.

Green, along with his wife and daughter, has lived in their home, located 100 meters from the factory, for 27 years. He claimed that the emissions from the plant disrupted their sleep, caused skin rashes, and led to a decrease in their property value. Initially, the case was a civil matter between Green and GrainCorp, but it later evolved into a class action that included other residents living within a one-kilometer radius of the factory.

Court documents from earlier hearings indicated that residents reported disturbances from beeping sounds, hissing steam, and the noise of trucks entering and exiting the facility, particularly during early mornings, evenings, and nights. GrainCorp has denied these allegations.

The case was scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria, but Justice Jacinta Forbes announced that the parties had reached a settlement. The details of the agreement will require court approval later this year.

A spokesperson for GrainCorp confirmed the settlement, stating, "We have reached an in-principle settlement to resolve the class action. The proposed terms of the settlement are confidential, and the settlement is subject to court approval." The spokesperson also expressed pride in the work done by employees at the Numurkah facility, emphasizing their role in supplying high-quality canola products both domestically and internationally.

GrainCorp operates the largest grain storage and handling network in eastern Australia, with over 150 regional receival sites. The Numurkah plant processes oilseeds to produce various oils and canola meal, which is used for animal feed.