A serious pollution incident occurred in Rose Valley, near Gerringong on Tuesday 12 September 2023 around 4pm after a farmer began spreading agricultural lime on his fields.

The lime became a large airborne plume which “caked surrounding dwellings like snow” according to neighbouring Rose Valley property owner, Ken Sandy. 

Lime in itself is not considered a dangerous substance, however, it is known to cause breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

Ken Sandy said: “A number of my neighbours reported their homes were completely covered in the white powder. My wife Debra has had some breath difficulties and headaches from the dust.

Its clearly hundreds of tonnes of lime that has blown away”

Ken contacted the EPA who told him that despite the scale of the pollution incident, issues with lime are a matter for Kiama Council, and a ranger had already attended on Thursday.

Ken said when the Kiama Council Ranger attended, he was ‘horrified’ and that when the ranger spoke to the concerned farmer, he said he had finished spreading lime on the fields.

However Ken expressed great concern that the field next to his house might be next to get lime spreading, leading to further plumes and further affecting the health of his family. 

Gerhard Baden, the farmer who spread the lime, told The Bugle: “It’s just the one neighbour complaining who I have been in a legal dispute for 10 years, who is forcing me off my land, that some lime got on his car. I lime the soil every seven years and I do it when there is no wind, but you can't control the wind. Big deal.”

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority told The Bugle it has followed up with both the complainant and the other person allegedly involved, but that Kiama Council is the appropriate authority in this instance.

“We reminded the alleged person responsible of their obligations to protect the environment and prevent or minimise dust from the premises,” the EPA said in a statement. 

“In this instance Kiama Municipal Council is the appropriate authority and has advised the EPA they are investigating. We work with councils to respond to reports of alleged air pollution. We want everyone who handles materials, such as lime, to do so in a way that does not cause air pollution.”

A spokesperson for Kiama Council told The Bugle that Council’s Environment Team are investigating the matter and have been in contact with the owner of the address, but couldn’t provide any further details.