AFTER years of complaints, frustration and unanswered questions, Ipswich residents have finally received the long-anticipated findings of the independent Swanbank Public Health Inquiry – and for many, the report brings long-sought validation of the impacts they say they have endured for more than a decade.
For communities living near the Swanbank and New Chum industrial precincts, the inquiry marks the first official acknowledgment of their experiences.
Local resident and long-time campaigner Michelle Fillipi said the findings reflect what locals have been reporting for years.
Ms Fillipi said authorities must now ensure the impacts do not continue.
“These facilities still need to be held accountable and watched very closely — their misconduct has been going on for far too long and we don’t want a repeat of this in the future,” she said.
“Sadly, there are more people like me who have been impacted.”
The inquiry, led by former Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard, received around 500 submissions from locals reporting symptoms and ongoing odour-related distress.
Community advocacy group Stop the Stink welcomed the findings but urged caution as the recommendations move toward implementation.
Spokesperson Tracey Butler said residents were relieved to see stronger oversight measures included in the report.
The Queensland Government confirmed it had accepted all recommendations, which are aimed at reducing odour impacts both immediately and in the long term.
State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said funding and regulatory changes must be fast-tracked.
“The Government must use the Mid Year Budget to fund new strategies to combat these smells now this report has finally seen the light of day,” he said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the findings represented a significant step forward in the city’s decade-long efforts to have waste odour issues taken seriously by the state.
“This is another significant milestone in our push to have Ipswich’s waste odour issues taken seriously and for a long-term plan in place to manage the impacts of the waste industry on our residents,” she said.
North Ipswich resident and community advocate Danielle Mutton said she was relieved the report had been released but concerned about the next phase.
“We are still waiting for crucial details about how the recommendations will be implemented,” she said.
