Ipswich waste company fined $30k for compost fire, residents say ‘not enough’

An Ipswich company has been fined more than $30,000 over a compost fire that made breathing “unbearable” for residents over Christmas.

The compost fire burning over Christmas. Picture: Michelle Kate

An Ipswich waste company has been fined more than $30,000 after residents say they spent their Christmas struggling to breathe from a compost fire that continued to burn for multiple weeks.

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) announced on Wednesday that Wood Mulching Industries was fined $15,480 for failing to follow protocols on stockpiling green waste as well as another $15,480 for the “unlawful release of smoke”.

DESI guidelines state that for prevention of fires in waste stockpiles, operators are recommended to regularly turn stockpiles to limit the risk of smoke.

“That’s less than $1 for every person who was affected by the putrid smoke over the Christmas period,” Jim Dorill said.

Chloe Smith shared their concerns about the long-term impact of the smoke.

“It is not enough when we have no idea of the impacts on our poor lungs,” she said.

Ipswich residents are calling for an end to the odours. Picture: Supplied

Geoff Yarham from Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments questioned why WMI wasn’t fined for each day of the violation.

“If I speed each day, the Queensland government will fine me for each violation, in the case of WMI … why haven’t they been fined for each day of violation?” he asked.

WMI was fined $13,345 in March 2021 for odour issues affecting Redbank Plains residents.

Residents are encouraged to report pollution incidents to the Queensland Government pollution hotline on 1300 130 372.

More than 2000 residents have now signed a Queensland parliament e-petition calling for more action on odour issues produced by the Swanbank Industrial Area.

In response to resident complaints about odours generated from Swanbank, DESI has filed an urgent restraint order seeking to halt odour producing aspects of NuGrow Ipswich, with the matter set to be heard at the Brisbane Planning and Environment Court from January 31.

WMI told The Courier-Mail that they acted under the advice and direction given by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

“It is unclear as to how WMI has not followed protocol in dealing with this fire. WMI has received penalty infringement notices. WMI proposes to refer these matters to the court for determination. We cannot rule out arson as a cause of the fire. This event has been devasting for us no different to anyone’s house or business that has been the subject of a fire. Staff members have had their lives threatened and there is a social media pile on happening on us. None of this helps. This is the last thing that we want to happen as we don’t want any negative impact on the community around us,” the statement read.