Each year, the EPA receives a significant number of complaints from the public about licensed facilities. When we receive a complaint about a licensed facility, we first establish whether the person who made the complaint wishes their personal details to be kept confidential. We forward the complaint to the licensee, with or without the complainant’s details, and instruct them to carry out an investigation into the complaint.

We assess the licensee’s response and ensure that the complainant is informed of the outcome, either by the licensee or by the EPA depending on the complainant’s choice about their confidentiality.  

We may separately carry out our own monitoring, and additional enforcement work may also be necessary. If the complaints continue, or if the licensee has not carried out the works needed to rectify the problem, the EPA may take legal action against the licensee.

If the complaints continue, or if the licensee has not carried out the works needed to rectify the problem, the EPA may take legal action against the licensee. 

Complaints about licensed sites 2013 - 2022 

The charts below provide details of all complaints about licensed facilities received from 2013 to 2022.  

Complaints received in 2022

 

  • Two sites accounted for 52% of all complaints received during 2022
  • There was a 9% decrease in complaints during 2022 compared to 2021.
  • Noise and odour complaints remain the most complained about issues. 95% of all complaints related to noise (54%) or odour (41%).
  • Complaints were received by the EPA in relation to 106 (12%) of licensed facilities during 2022.

Summary details on complaints received in relation to industrial and waste licensed sites are provided in the charts below.

Details of how to make a complaint regarding an EPA licensed facility are provided on the EPA website.