Restraining order filed against Swanbank plant after Ipswich community complaints

A fresh legal blow has been dealt as one Australian city’s fight to stop a sickening problem takes a wild turn.

A major garbage facility has been hit with civil legal action after fed-up locals in “Australia’s smelliest city” claimed the unbearable odours were making them sick.

Thousands of residents – many reduced to trapping themselves indoors – have for years tried to have the “stop the stink” emitted from the Swanbank Industrial Area, in Queensland’s Ipswich, brought under control.

More than 6000 complaints have been received by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) since January, while almost 25,000 have been received since 2018.

Community members from areas surrounding the industrial park have grown more furious as time has worn on.

Residents have reported experiencing serious illness as a result of the smells, with those living in adjacent areas also being diagnosed with lung cancer at rates 47 per cent above the Australian average, according to the Australian Cancer Atlas.

They claim authorities have failed to take action against the multimillion-dollar composting facility, run by NuGrow Ipswich Pty Ltd.

The Department of Environment and Sciences has filed a restraint order application to stop odour-producing activities at a facility located west of Brisbane. Picture: Facebook

On Friday, the DES filed a restraint order application to cease odour-producing activities.

If successful, the order will allow the department to “limit certain aspects” of NuGrow’s operations, including “receiving highly odorous waste” with the potential to generate odour and impact the community,

The state government’s legal action came shortly after a community drop-in session hosted by DES at Redbank Plains, where concerned residents had the opportunity to voice their grievances to DES officers.

A fiery statement from NuGrow in response stated it, “takes its responsibilities to the community and the environment very seriously.”

“We recognise Ipswich residents’ concerns about the impact of unpleasant odours around the Swanbank Industrial Area (SIA) and we have been active in trying to resolve this

problem,” the company stated.

The company hit out at the Ipswich City Council for allowing development so close to its facility.

“It is important to note that both Ipswich City Council and the State Government approved the location of NuGrow’s facilities, and that we have always been perturbed by Council’s subsequent approval of housing development so close to the SIA,” the statement said.

“With nine waste management operations now operating in SIA, the challenge of identifying the sources of odours and containing them is complex.

“NuGrow calls on all SIA operators and the Council and State Government, to work together to find the most effective solution to this problem.”

The objective is to stop the activities until they can be comprehensively contained and impose restrictions on various aspects of the facility’s operation. Picture: Facebook

NuGrow said it has been denied environmental and planning approvals for enclosing its composting operation - but is appealing.

It added it is awaiting responses from Environment Minister Leanne Linard and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, to requests to discuss resolution strategies.

The Courier Mail reports that among the attendees was a lady who expressed her frustration, stating: “I think there should be a protest.”

Another couple reportedly shared their dismay, revealing that they were unaware of the odour issue when they purchased their house.

They suggested that government-supplied air purifiers for affected homes could be a potential solution.

Other community members called for the temporary closure of waste and recycling companies until comprehensive containment measures could be implemented.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the recent release of the 2023 Swanbank Odour Complaints “heat map” by DES, which depicts a significant shift in the geographical distribution of complaints compared to the 2022 version released just a month prior.

In 2022, a total of 5,947 complaints were registered, while a staggering 4,421 complaints were received in the span of eight months in 2023.

The move comes after a significant increase in odour complaints in 2023 compared to the previous year. This picture shows the density of the 4,421 odour complaints made between January and August 10, 2023 Picture: Facebook

The epicentre of odour complaints in 2022 was concentrated around Collingwood Park, but in 2023, areas like Ripley, Redbank Plains, Flinders View, and Eastern Heights emerged as new hotspots for grievances.

During last week’s community meeting, a resident from Ipswich’s northern suburbs passionately implored, “Don’t forget about us up here.”

Individuals who shared their experiences described the odour as ranging from “quite nasty” to “unpleasant.”

In September, news.com.au reported the severe impact of the odours on nearby residents, citing descriptions of an odour reminiscent of a vile combination of sewage, rotten eggs, and fertiliser.

This rank cocktail allegedly led to various health issues, including vomiting, headaches, rashes, and breathing problems.

The odours have been linked to various health issues, including vomiting, headaches, rashes and breathing problems. Picture: Facebook

The affected residents have intensified their efforts to address the persistent stench emanating from the Swanbank Industrial Area.

A petition circulated earlier this year demanded immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the community, citing symptoms such as dry retching, vomiting, headaches, and respiratory issues.

The petition also draws attention to the adverse effects on children who are exposed to the noxious air while walking to schools and kindergartens.

“All children are walking to schools and kindies in this putrid, horrendous, manure toxic composting air, which is of great concern,” the petition stated.

“We need these industrial recycling industries to be accountable for odour emissions against the residents and workers who work in the areas and also people who own businesses.”

Residents, forced to keep windows and doors closed at all times due to the overpowering smell and uncontrollable dust, have formed a Facebook group with over 2000 members to share updates on the daily severity of stench levels.

– With Brooke Rolfe

Originally published as Restraining order filed against Swanbank plant after Ipswich community complaints