Ipswich air monitored after health complaints

A government taskforce is distributing canisters to childhood education centres west of Brisbane to collect air quality samples after years of residents complaining about a “stench” that’s been making them sick.

The government has started distributing canisters to childhood education centres in Ipswich to collect air quality samples after years of residents complaining about a “stench” that’s been making them sick.

Since 2018, locals in the area have been complaining about the smell coming from Swanbank Industrial Area which hosts composting, landfill and recycling facilities.

Almost 26,000 complaints have been made to the Department of Environment and Science (DES) since July 2018, while 7322 of those have been since January this year.

After the many complaints, the DES created an Odour Abatement Taskforce to investigate and respond to concerns raised by the community.

Swanbank Industrial Area. Picture: Department of Environment and Science

One of the most recent initiatives was contacting early childhood education centres and schools in the “affected areas” to give them special canisters to collect air quality.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesman confirmed schools and childhood centres were among the locations who had received canisters.

“We are committed to taking strong action against any operators who are found to be unlawfully causing a nuisance in the community, and have engaged an external firm who specialise in odour to assist with our investigations,” he said.

The stench in Ipswich has been reported for years. Picture: Richard Walker

“In response to community concerns, we are working with Queensland Health to conduct air quality monitoring in the community.

“Canisters, which can detect up to 74 different types of chemical compounds, have been provided to residents and several schools and early education centres in the community.”

He said businesses in the region were expected to meet community expectations and reduce their odours.

Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE) spokeswoman Jo-Ann Miller said the time for monitoring was well and truly over.

Michelle Kate described her symptoms as coughing, rashes, hives, burning skin, eye irritation and skin dryness from the Ipswich stench. Picture: Supplied

“These new measures don’t go far enough to allay concerns about the odours emanating from waste facilities,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk government needs to take this problem seriously and get to the bottom of what’s causing the odours, that are causing all kinds of illnesses and ailments.”

According to the Australian Cancer Atlas, residents in adjacent areas are diagnosed with lung cancer at rates 47 per cent above the Australian average.

Ms Miller said her asthma and sinus had been affected by the stink too.

“The issue is, ultimately people want the stink to stop,” she said.

“And they want those industries shut down. There is no place for those types of industries in a modern city of Ipswich.”