AS CONCERNS have been raised about the scope of the terms of reference for the State Government’s official Public Health Inquiry into odours emanating from the Swanbank industrial facility.
Critics argue that the current framework may not be broad enough to fully address the range of health, environmental, and regulatory impacts caused by the persistent odours, raising questions about whether the inquiry can provide a comprehensive solution to the ongoing issue.
The Crisafulli Government announced the six-month Public Health Inquiry into possible health impacts from major odour issues throughout the region.
Specialist physician and former Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard will chair the Inquiry, with a panel including technical expertise in environmental matters and supported with legal and clinical advice.
Spokesperson for Stop The Stink and passionate resident advocate, Tracey Butler said Government has missed the mark.
“Crisafulli said a full health inquiry was to be held into Ipswich if we voted them in.
“We voted them in and now there is a double flip by them to only do the inquiry on Swanbank facilities.
“I want to also know why John Gerrard has changed his voice in this….
“We have been saying for years that we need an inquiry and the former Labor Government, and he (Gerrard) while Chief Health Officer have knocked us back so many times – what has made him change his mind?”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the inquiry after spearheading advocacy for the community.
Spokesperson for the Ipswich Lockyer Greens and advocate for residents, Danielle Mutton, echoed the sentiments of residents.
She said while the Health Inquiry announcement is a good result for residents in Redbank Plains and Ripley, there are still very serious concerns with the scope of the terms of reference not being broad enough.
The final report will be released by the Government in mid-2025.
BRIEF Timeline
- 2011 – New Chum landfill site odours begin causing pain and frustration for residents.
- December 2017 – NSW Environment Protection Authority figures reveal waste crossing the border soared from 430,000 tonnes in 2016 to 830,000 – bulk of it ended up in Ipswich area landfills.
- July 2018 – Then Qld Govt assemble a multimillion-dollar taskforce of 10.
- The Odour Abatement Taskforce, spent the next year hunting down and dealing with “nuisance odours” with $2.5 million spent on the process.
- Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard said the Department of Environment and science received 302 reports of odour from 167 people alleging bad smells from landfill and waste recycling facilities in the Swanbank industrial area in the previous year.
- August 2020 – Mayor Harding launched campaign to force State Govt to clean up.
- April 2022 – locals rally to shut down a waste centre.
- November 2023 – NuGrow ordered to pay more than $45,000 in infringement notices.
- November 2024 – Cleanaway issued $600,000 fine, after pleading guilty to seven offences.
- This the highest penalty ever handed down by Qld’s environmental regulator for an environmental odour nuisance offence.
- January 2025 – Public Health Inquiry Launched
