Tougher laws have been proposed to crack down on Ipswich compost waste operators that cause toxic odours.
The proposed regulations would force companies located near housing estates to use in-vessel or enclosed processing for highly odorous material.
It would also ensure interstate transporters to take high risk feedstocks or other compost materials to dump sites, which meet the requirements.
The move follows the ongoing complaints from residents about the stench in Ipswich.
It’s understood the Odour Abatement Task Force had received 26,000 complaints about the the stink created by rubbish tips in the last five years
It has also been driven by the ongoing legal battles the Department of Environment Science and Innovation has had with waste operators including Nu Grow at Swanbank.
Three Labor MPs, Ipswich State MP Jennifer Howard, Jordan State MP Charis Mullen and Bundamba MP Lance McCallum are behind the proposed changes to regulations.
Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said the proposed new regulations will hold companies doing the wrong thing to account.
“These proposed new regulations will force compost waste companies to clean up their act,” he said.
“Too many local families and households have suffered the environmental impacts of a few
waste operators, and composters in particular who have burnt their social licence.
Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the proposed regulations would also ensure interstate
transporters of highly odorous materials only take this waste to sites which meet the
requirements
“The proposed regulations is about giving the independent environmental regulator the tools it needs to tackle odour issues impacting communities like ours.
“Local composting businesses, who have been identified as the most likely source of the
odours impacting our community, are not fully-enclosed and, clearly, this needs to change.
Meanwhile, Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said the Miles Government had also fact-tracked
parliamentary debate on enhancements to Queensland environmental protection laws to
deal with odour nuisance.
“Ipswich Labor MPs successfully lobbied the Minister to bring forward debate on the
Environmental Protection (Powers and Penalties) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill
2024, which finalises the Government’s response to the recommendations of the
independent review of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 led by retired Judge Richard
Jones and Barrister Susan Hedge,” Ms Howard said.
“Ipswich Labor MPs lobbied the government to commission the Jones and Hedge Review
after flooding in 2022 exacerbated odour issues coming from waste facilities.
The proposed regulations will not only apply to waste operators in Ipswich but right across the state.
To have your say on the proposed changes visit the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation website.
