Gympie Regional Council slammed by residents after Sunchem fire

Sick residents have slammed Gympie Regional Council’s handling of an intense chemical fire which raged in a residential neighbourhood last week.

Sick residents and frustrated parents have slammed Gympie Regional Council’s response to their concerns following a devastating chemical fire at Sunchem Cleaning Products.

The factory, located in a residential neighbourhood, was gutted by a ‘suspicious’ fire on Sunday, November 20.

Since the blaze, a childcare centre had to temporarily close down and residents living in nearby houses have reported ongoing health concerns, including chest infection-like symptoms.

They have also reported a significant lingering smell, which is particularly pungent at night-time.

Residents said they received minimal communication from authorities, but were told to keep their windows and doors closed.

Kindy closes, plants curl, residents sick days after suspicious fire

The building Sunchem was based in on Tozer Park Road in Gympie stood for more than 30 years, and changed ownership in 2016.

According to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Sunchem owner Barb Bailey-Dahlheimer, there are plans to rebuild.

The campaign has already raised nearly $2000.

The blaze also forced the closure of neighbouring kindergarten Parkside Early Learning Centre.

Emergency services told the centre to close until further notice, leaving multiple families stuck without childcare.

Striking imagery from the scene of the Sunchem fire in the early morning of November 20, 2022. Picture: Gympie the Real Treasure is the Town.

In a letter delivered to resident mailboxes, council compliance manager Daniel Rogers said there was no cause for concern, following site testing by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and the council’s environmental health staff.

“While there are no overall concerns, it is important that you contact your healthcare provider if you experience any sort of respiratory issue,” Mr Rogers said in the letter.

“The Department of Environment and Science is currently assessing the fire site for any other environmental concerns that may be present.”

One resident, who has asked to remain anonymous, championed the fight for a council response after her mother became sick following the fire.

She said the response was inadequate to the needs of the community.

“People don’t like to complain here … but it’s an insult to intelligence if council deny any risk to the health and wellbeing of their residents and wildlife after the chemical fire,” she said.

“It’s too little, and definitely too late.”

Aftermath of the chemical fire at Sunchem Quality Cleaning Products in Gympie. Picture: Barb Bailey-Dahlheimer.

There are also renewed frustrations from the local community, who said the factory should never have been built in a residential area to begin with.

“It had no business being allowed in a residential area, and now the poor residents and business will pay the price,” a resident said.

“The inaction by council has had serious ramifications and I hope they don’t intend on ignoring the problem like they have ignored residents seeking answers to valid and urgent questions.”

Gympie council director of community and sustainability Adrian Burns said residents were in no danger.

“Council acknowledges the concerns of residents in this matter. Due to the nature of the fire and the severity of the damage, council are working with a number of parties as part of an ongoing investigation. Council’s responsibility in instances like these is around assessing the environmental damage, to land, infrastructure, flora and fauna,” Mr Burns said.

“From a human social perspective the area has been assessed by state government departments and it was determined that an evacuation of the area was not and still is not warranted.

“If residents are in need of more information we would encourage them to call council on 1300 307 800. That way we can assess individual needs and point residents in the right direction if appropriate.”