Mt Cotton sewage stench spreads after cyclone power failure

Dozens of residents in a SEQ suburb are being subjected to a strong stench from the nearby sewerage plant, which lost power during Cyclone Alfred.

The Mount Cotton wastewater treatment plant on German Church Rd. Picture: Contributed

Cyclone Alfred has left a stench in its wake, with the Mount Cotton Waste Treatment Plant emitting strong odours after operating on backup generators during widespread power outages.

Redland City Council deputy mayor Julie Talty said generators kept the plant running but could not power the section responsible for odour containment.

Now that power has been restored, the plant is back to full capacity, but untreated material moving through the system has resulted in temporary odours.

“The content from the past week is now being processed, but it has not gone through the usual deodorisation process,” Cr Talty said.

“That is what residents can currently smell. This is being managed and was expected by the plant operators, but it will remain unpleasant for a few days until the backlog clears.”

A Redland City Council spokesman confirmed the odours were not unusual and reassured residents that all systems were functioning normally.

“Council is aware that some people in parts of Mount Cotton and Redland Bay are experiencing unpleasant odours in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” the spokesman said.

“While this can sometimes occur naturally in bushland due to excess rain causing organic decay, in rare times of excess flows, the city’s wastewater treatment plants may emit some unpleasant odours.”

Nearby residents of Mount Cotton have been swamped by the smell.

The council is monitoring odour levels during the clean-up process and expects the smell to subside as waterlogged bushland and creeks dry out.

Although the odours have caused discomfort, authorities say they pose no health risks and are urging residents to be patient as the system returns to normal.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred brought significant rainfall and power outages to the region, temporarily disrupting essential infrastructure.

Residents with ongoing concerns can report them through council channels, with updates to be provided as the clean-up continues.

Originally published as Mt Cotton sewage stench spreads after cyclone power failure