Residents can have an input in Swanbank odour survey

Published Tuesday, 17 April, 2018 at 03:35 PM

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

The Palaszczuk Government has released an online survey for Ipswich residents to share their experiences of odour issues in their local area.

Minister for Environment and Science Leeanne Enoch said the Government would like to hear residents’ thoughts and experiences with odour in Ipswich, including the type of smells and details about when and where they are occurring.

“This feedback will help the government to better understand any ongoing nuisance odour issues in the community, and assist with managing it effectively,” Ms Enoch said.

“I want to assure the Ipswich community that the Department of Environment and Science (DES) has been engaging with industry, affected residents, other relevant stakeholders and concerned members of the public on this matter and has been working to pinpoint potential sources.

“There are a number of industry activities within and around the suburbs reported to be affected, and the department will take appropriate action where any non-compliant activities are detected.

“We take this matter seriously and have carried out a targeted compliance program in an effort to effectively manage the issue.”

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the survey was being conducted independently.

“It is important to stress that the survey is being conducted by an independent consultant and it will report back only to the Government,” she said.

“I encourage everyone to have their say. Copies of the printed survey can be collected from my electorate office, or people are able to call the office and we can post it out.”

The survey will be available from today until 6 May and can be found at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au. People can also request a hard copy of the survey by phoning the Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Ms Enoch said people could report nuisance odours by visiting the Reporting Environmental Nuisance page which also has more information about reporting particular environmental issues, including an online odour notification form that can be filled out.

Alternatively, concerns can be reported by calling the department’s Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372.

Ms Enoch said the Government had established Operation TORA, which is an intensive compliance program by a Waste Industry Compliance Investigation Taskforce set up by the Department of Environment and Science.

“The Operation focuses on reducing any impacts from waste activities, such as waste recycling or reprocessing, waste storage, waste transport from interstate and waste treatment,” Ms Enoch said.

“Staff from TORA will continue to take strong enforcement action where offences are detected.

“Recent examples include prosecutions against Ipswich waste transport operators where one was fined $36,000 and another $25,000 for unlawfully transporting asbestos.

“There was also a $170,000 combined total of fines achieved through successful prosecution of a Narangba regulated waste reprocessing facility, and a $30,000 fine issued to a Staplyton composter for contravening a condition of its environmental authority.”

Ms Enoch also said the Palaszczuk Government was also working towards implementing the recommendations stemming from Justice Peter Lyons’s report into the transport of interstate waste into Queensland.

“Our Government made a commitment that we would consider the report and act on its recommendations, and that is what we are doing.

“Justice Lyons recommended the Government implement a general levy on all waste disposed of at landfill in Queensland, and the Palaszczuk Government has established a Stakeholder Advisory Group to work collaboratively to develop a new waste strategy and implement this recommendation.

“The Palaszczuk Government has made a commitment that Queensland households willnot be directly affected by a waste levy.”

More information about the Government’s waste strategy can be found here: https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/waste/qld-waste-strategy.html

 

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