00:00Nicole Power lives 300 metres from this tip and it's been on fire for nearly six years.
00:10It's like a burning mineral chemically, it's really strong smell.
00:14I can't describe it, it's like nothing I've ever smelled before.
00:18She's just been told the fire could burn for another four years
00:22and the company responsible, Barrow Group, won't face any criminal charges.
00:27The EPA, my God, the EPA must, this is why I call the EPA the Department of the Toothless Tigers.
00:34The four underground fires were first detected in 2019.
00:38In 2021, the EPA suspended Barrow's tip licence.
00:43In 2022, the EPA charged Barrow and three directors with breaches of environmental duty.
00:50But in July, all the criminal charges were dropped.
00:53Today, three of the four fires are out and the ABC can reveal the EPA's considering letting Barrow Group have its tip licence back.
01:03We're taking this decision really seriously and we will be taking the time to examine all options and consider all the evidence and facts.
01:14For locals, that's not good enough.
01:16I just want to smash my head against the wall, just tired, drained.
01:20We appreciate it's frustrating for the community to have to wait six years.
01:26The tip isn't taking new rubbish and the community is clear on what they want to see next.
01:31I'd like to see it not open, shut down completely.
01:35The ABC approached Barrow for an interview but their lawyers told us they can't comment due to the legal proceedings.
01:41A decision about the tip licence is expected within weeks but the fire and the stench will continue long after.
01:48Thank you for and thank you for taking off the去了 and the blown commission.
01:55Production Bunu.
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