‘Concerned’ CHO issues Ipswich stench health alert, but rejects inquiry demands

Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard has rejected calls for a Public Heath Inquiry into a horrible stench permeating Ipswich, but admits he is “concerned”.

Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard has rejected calls for a public heath inquiry into a horrible stench permeating Ipswich – but said he believed residents’ complaints about related physical symptoms were real.

The Courier-Mail understands the state government was seeking urgent legal advice about what further action could be taken to address the spiralling issue, with alleged victims joining the LNP on Wednesday to call for immediate action.

Thousands of residents have been complaining of the smell along with mental health and physical health conditions – such as rash and respiratory issues – which they allege is linked to a stench coming from nearby Swanbank industrial site.

CHO is concerned about stench in Ipswich. Residents have claimed it is causing health issues.

But Dr Gerrard said he didn’t think a public health inquiry “would add anything”.

“I have no doubt those symptoms are real – but we have no evidence that they represent toxicity,” he said.

“But if this is the case we need more information – we need people to report to their GP so we can do analysis.

“It is well known that strong and/or noxious smells can be associated with physical symptoms in some people.”

But Dr Gerrard said while “odour nuisance levels” had been exceeded, the levels know to be associated with disease states were not being detected.

“Odour may well be enough to cause physical symptoms – that’s a real thing, it’s not in peoples heads,” he said.

“We do however remain concerned about the situation, and want to understand more about the health impacts.

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard.

“We have issued a health alert to general practitioners to try and identify anyone who has symptoms or physical signs which may be attributed to any smell exposure in the Ipswich area.

“Without that information, we can’t really do anything, unless it’s been reported to us we can’t really do anything further.”

Speaking from Cairns, Annastacia Palaszczuk delivered a warning to the area’s industrial businesses amid the increasing fury and said she would raise the issue – which she admitted was worsening – with Environment Minister Leanne Linard.

“I understand there are very serious concerns out in Ipswich about the odours that are coming from particular industrial centres,” the Premier said.

“This is unacceptable.

“The Environment Minister has spoken about this and I know she has been out there meeting with residents.

“My message to the companies is: fix up those odours or they will face the consequences of the law.

“It is not acceptable for residents to be exposed to these odours.”

Michelle Filippi and Wade Mathewson protest the noxious odours. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Local resident Michelle Philippi said she had experienced significant rashes over the past year and a half since moving to Ipswich from Victoria, and was forced to take four injections a month plus four antihistamine tablets every day just to keep it under control.

She said she had been told her case was the worse doctors had seen, and it had taken a devastating toll on both her physical and mental health.

“We can't really go out when the smells around, we’re stuck inside the majority of the time, eyes watering when you do go outside – we can’t even hang washing out,” she said.

“My skin’s burning, I’m itching all the time, applying cream throughout the day – it’s quite unbearable.”

Ms Philippi said she and locals like her just wanted answers, and it was “pretty pathetic” that calls for an inquiry were being knocked back.

“They’re spending millions of dollars on all these other things – why cant they do the same on a health injury? Isn’t our health more important?,” she said

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie also slammed the years-long inaction on the issue.

“Let’s clear the air, and hold a public health inquiry into the issues that have been raised,” he said.

“The government owe it to the residents in this area.

“The time for monitoring is over.”

Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged it was an issue that has persisted for a number of years but said “I understand it is getting worse”.

“That is why urgent attention needs to be taken and I will be speaking with the Environment Minister about this,” she said.