Kanmantoo, Callington residents say Neutrog fertiliser plant smells so bad it’s ‘hard to breathe outside’

Hills locals are demanding action over a nearby fertiliser plant they say smells so bad it’s stopped people even socialising.

Adelaide Hills residents have stepped up their campaign against foul odours coming from a nearby fertiliser plant.

Residents in Kanmantoo and Callington have written to their local council calling for action.

They claim biological fertiliser company Neutrog is causing “major environmental management issues” and that people are struggling to breathe outside, due to odours coming from the company’s plant on Mine Road at Kanmantoo.

“The issue for this community is that the matter is becoming worse, to the extent that on most evenings and sometimes during the day the ability to breathe while outside is difficult, and you often taste these particles,” the letter reads.

The Adelaide Hills News first reported of the community’s concerns in December, but they have now renewed their complaints.

Kanmantoo residents Peter Roberts, Lou Duncan, Margi Dunn and Jenny Tundale say the stench from the fertiliser plant is unbearable. Picture: The Advertiser/Morgan Sette

“Members of the community are unable to socialise. Family, friends and other visitors do not like to visit, stop or get out of their vehicles due to the odour,” the letter says.

“This has a potential catastrophic impact to both economic and social needs.”

An Environmental Protection Authority spokeswoman said the agency had been monitoring the plant since February 2020 and had not found any breaches of the company’s various environmental licences.

“The EPA is aware of community concerns about odour and dust and has been regularly communicating with complainants as well as Neutrog management,” the spokeswoman said.

“The EPA has also actively encouraged Neutrog to advise the community about its current operations and odour and dust management measures.”

To date, odour monitoring has been carried out 11 times in multiple locations around Kanmantoo and Callington.

“Neutrog has not been found to have breached its licence conditions or the requirements of the Environment Protection Act,” the EPA spokeswoman said.

SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell quizzed Health Minister Stephen Wade on the issue in parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Wade said he had not seen the residents’ letter, but would work with Environment Minister David Speirs to address their concerns.

Neutrog managing director Angus Irwin said no harmful pathogens had ever been found at the site.

Angus Irwin, managing director of Neutrog at the Kanmantoo site.. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

He said the company’s products were pathogen free.

“Given that our products are used to grow food, and the welfare of our customers, staff and community is paramount to us, we test every single batch of product,” he said.

“We operate within all the necessary health and environmental guidelines.”