The new legislation proposed by Environment Minister Leanne Linard in May 2023 aims to address the issue of bad odours affecting residents in suburbs around the Swanbank Industrial Park in Queensland. The odours have caused physical illnesses in residents, prompting groups like IRATE to advocate for changes to waste industry guidelines. The proposed legislation includes restrictions on waste companies delivering “odorous waste” to compost businesses that do not meet the new laws. Linard has committed to requiring all existing organics facilities near residential areas to transition to fully-enclosed facilities. The government has increased inspections and enforcement notices to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Residents in areas such as Collingwood Park, Redbank Plains, Swanbank, Flinders View, and New Chum have been impacted by noxious odours from nearby industries for several decades. The community has raised concerns about the health effects of these odours, leading to lobbying efforts for stricter regulations on waste companies. The government has acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the situation and is taking decisive action to address the issue. Linard has emphasized the importance of holding operators accountable and ensuring that all facilities comply with the new regulations. The Department of Environment and Science has increased inspections and issued more enforcement notices to ensure compliance.
The proposed legislation aims to restrict waste companies from delivering odorous waste to compost businesses that do not meet the new laws. This will help reduce the impact of bad odours on residents in the affected suburbs and improve their quality of life. Linard has emphasized the need for stronger regulations to ensure that all organics facilities near residential areas transition to fully-enclosed facilities. The government’s actions reflect a commitment to addressing the concerns of the community and holding operators accountable for their impact on the environment and public health.
The government has reported a 40% increase in the number of inspections and a nearly tripled amount of enforcement notices issued since 2023. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring compliance with the new regulations and holding operators accountable for any violations. Linard has described the compliance officers as being pro-business but also focused on enforcing the regulations to protect residents from the negative impacts of odorous waste. The increased enforcement measures are part of the government’s efforts to address the longstanding issue of bad odours affecting residents in the Swanbank Industrial Park and surrounding areas.
The legislation proposed by Environment Minister Leanne Linard in May 2023 aims to address the issue of bad odours affecting residents in suburbs around the Swanbank Industrial Park in Queensland. The odours have caused physical illnesses in residents, prompting groups like IRATE to advocate for changes to waste industry guidelines. The proposed legislation includes restrictions on waste companies delivering “odorous waste” to compost businesses that do not meet the new laws. Linard has committed to requiring all existing organics facilities near residential areas to transition to fully-enclosed facilities. The government has increased inspections and enforcement notices to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Residents in areas such as Collingwood Park,Redbank Plains, Swanbank, Flinders View, and New Chum have been impacted by noxious odours from nearby industries for several decades. The community has raised concerns about the health effects of these odours, leading to lobbying efforts for stricter regulations on waste companies. The government has acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the situation and is taking decisive action to address the issue. Linard has emphasized the importance of holding operators accountable and ensuring that all facilities comply with the new regulations. The Department of Environment and Science has increased inspections and issued more enforcement notices to ensure compliance.
