Kanmantoo residents raise a stink over chicken manure stench coming from fertiliser company Neutrog

Parties and backyard barbecues are being spoiled by a foul smell hanging over Kanmantoo, which residents believe can be traced to fertiliser company Neutrog.

Kanmantoo residents Peter Roberts, Lou Duncan, Margi Dunn and Jenny Tundale are able to smell the stench coming from Neutrog from their homes. Picture: The Advertiser/Morgan Sette

Country air has been known to have a certain desirable aroma to it, but the smell coming from a fertiliser company in Kanmantoo is a bit on the nose.

Residents in the Adelaide Hills town have been complaining about a chook poo-like stench coming from biological fertiliser company Neutrog, where chicken manure is being converted into fertiliser.

The smell is so pervasive that some residents, including Margi Dunn, are often forced to lock themselves indoors and log the day and times the stench was taking over their lives.

This is on top of a community petition requesting Neutrog address community concerns at a matter of urgency.

Ms Dunn, who runs a childcare centre from her Nursery Road home, said many residents simply had enough of the company’s inaction.

“There’s a young girl that had a birthday party here and all of a sudden the stench came through and she was so embarrassed.,” Ms Dunn said,

“She said to her mum, ‘mum, my friends are going to think my house stinks’.

“So something needs to happen. We don’t want them (Neutrog) to shut down, they produce great products but we need them to address this smell as it’s impacting our lives.”

Fellow Kanmantoo resident Jenny Tyndale has also had enough.

Ms Tyndale said among her concerns was that the smell could impact property prices.

Kanmantoo homes currently sell for $361,000, $134,250 less than the average Hills home.

“Who will want to live here if things are this bad now,” she said.

“Twelve years ago, when we moved here we knew it was there and we knew it stank, but the smell would happen only now and then – now it’s all time.”

Peter Roberts, who has lived in Kanmantoo for 21 years, said the smell had been an ongoing issue for many years.

“If they (Neutrog) were making a noise as they produce their products and that noise was travelling through Kanmantoo and Callington, the business would be shut down within a week,” he said.

“But because it’s a smell and you can’t see it, they are getting away with it.

“When I contacted the South Australian Environment Protection Authority, they made it quite clear to me that the smell is supposed to stop at their fence line.

“Well, it never has and never will, unless they close the entire area.”

Angus Irwin, Managing Director of Neutrog, says his company was working on reducing the smell. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

An EPA spokeswoman said the organisation was investigating community concerns, while processing an application for Authorisation (a licence to operate) from Neutrog Holdings Pty Ltd.

“If a licence is granted, it will include conditions that address environmental emissions such as odour,” the spokeswoman said.

Neutrog’s Managing Director Angus Irwin Managing was already implementing measures to “significantly reduce short term odours”.

“We are now working to eliminate what we see as the final third of the current odour issues within the next four weeks,” he said.

“If our community could please continue to work constructively with us, and advise us of any increase or decrease in odour levels and or any changes in their characteristics, it would be appreciated as this plays a significant role in identifying any odour source and consequently, in ultimately rectifying any odour issues.

“Our goal is always to be part of a positive dialogue that enhances what we do for and within our great community.”