Neutrog enters guilty plea over Adelaide Hills fertilising breaches
Biological fertiliser company Neutrog has pleaded guilty to breaching the Environmental Protection Act, after years of complaints from residents about the thick odour in its Adelaide Hills town.
Neutrog Trading Pty Ltd has pleaded guilty to three offences in the Environment, Resources and Development Court, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) announced on Friday afternoon.
The plea came after the EPA commenced proceedings against Neutrog in July 2025, alleging the fertiliser company “intentionally or recklessly” polluted the environment and caused “an odour nuisance” in Adelaide Hills towns Kanmantoo and St Ives.
The high-profile fertiliser company has been in a long-running stoush with its Adelaide Hills neighbours who told InDaily in October the town “smells like rotting flesh”.
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Neutrog pleaded guilty to allegations from the EPA that it “repeatedly” exceeded stockpile heights for its piles of chicken litter and compost, which were regulated to be no larger than three metres high.
The company also pleaded guilty to “repeatedly receiving unauthorised waste”, which the EPA said was specific to accepting almost 40 tonnes of waste coffee grinds.
According to the EPA, Neutrog have accepted liability and the matter has been adjourned until June, when the court will hear submissions on the penalty.
A Neutrog company spokesperson said “as the matter is still before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment”.
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The EPA’s compliance director Steven Sergi said the case was a reminder to businesses to adhere to its licensing conditions and regulations.
“The EPA emphasises the importance of compliance with environmental laws to protect the community and the environment,” Sergi said.
The EPA renewed Neutrog’s licence in January 2026 for 18 months, following the company’s application to continue its composting activities at the Kanmantoo site.
The licence included conditions Neutrog must comply with, including a stockpile management plan, a reviewed dust management plan and odour management plan to minimise the potential impacts of dust and odour.
An SA Health spokesperson told InDaily in October that the department was aware the situation in Kanmantoo “may cause some disturbance to community living conditions and wellbeing, and continues to engage with the public about any concerns raised by residents”.
