REDBANK Plains resident Tracey Butler last week presented the council with a petition signed by more than 6,000 locals demanding that something be done about the stink from Swanbank.
Ms Butler is a leading light of the Stop the Stink campaign, which has a well-frequented Facebook page, and entered the council’s chamber to present the petition.
Ms Butler said, “These odours are impacting the health and quality of life of residents, including our children, every day. Children are walking to school breathing in these odours, experiencing headaches and other negative health effects.
“I am doing this for my grandchildren. I don’t want them growing up and having long-term health issues from these odours. I strongly call on council and the community to continue to push for a real solution to waste odour issues.”
Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the petition and said that while she was happy to see the state taking action with a recent injunction lodged against waste operator NuGrow, she wanted to see a long-term fix.
“Council’s ask of the State is a long-term approach to minimising noxious odours by legislating that waste operators must enclose their composting operations. This would provide a real solution to the issues that have been plaguing Ipswich residents for close to a decade,” said Mayor Harding.
Meanwhile, the protest continues with campaigner Josh Addison applauding Ms Butler’s petition, calling it a “potent embodiment of public demand for genuine action”.
Mr Addison said that a petition begun by Greens candidate for Division 3 Danielle Mutton was also worth supporting since it could be lodged in parliament. He plans to visit parliament with Ms Mutton when it next sits in February.
He said, “We will proactively lobby the government for real change. Rather than merely condemning the issue through press releases, I extend an invitation to Mayor Teresa Harding to join us in Brisbane.”
The parliamentary petition is available to sign at the parliament’s website. Ms Mutton said it demanded a public health inquiry into the odour issue. Many residents have complained about mysterious rashes and lung problems.
Meanwhile, the council claims it is effectively managing the waste operators using a temporary local planning instrument.
