A public health inquiry has found “highly offensive” odours from waste industrial areas in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, have impacted the health and wellbeing of thousands of residents.
But the probe has also concluded there is no evidence of an increased risk of cancer in the populations exposed to the smells.
The inquiry, which was headed up by former Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard, was established by the state government earlier this year.
It was tasked with investigating the health effects of the odours from the Swanbank and New Chum industrial estates and recommending actions to mitigate their impacts.
Cleanaway operates a landfill site at New Chum, near Ipswich. (ABC News: Tobias Loftus)
The inquiry’s report warned planned residential growth in the area would exacerbate the problem further in the coming years.
“The most common symptoms attributed to the odour are respiratory, ear-nose-throat, neurological, gastrointestinal, skin and mental health,” the report said.
“These symptoms were generally not mild or transient.
“The symptoms reported by the community are credible and are consistent in their detail and with the published medical literature.”
The odours from waste industrial sites in Ipswich have been found to be “highly offensive” in a new report. (Supplied)
The inquiry also found composting generated “offensive odours”.
The report noted the observed rates of cancers in the areas exposed to odours were not statistically significantly different to those areas that were partially exposed or unexposed.
Recommendations accepted
According to the report, other potential sources for odour in the estate include landfill, fertiliser production sites, recycling and resource recovery sites, and asphalt plants.
The inquiry made eight recommendations, including that the government take action to provide long-term relief from odour from composting.
It suggested this could be achieved by supporting the industry to find a new location to compost, or helping them ensure the construction of permanent enclosed facilities.
A landfill was inundated during the February 2022 floods. (Supplied: Ipswich City Council)
The inquiry has also proposed prohibiting future residential developments from encroaching within “buffer distances” of the industrial areas.
It said apportioning blame for the impact of the odours was outside of its terms of reference.
Inquiry ‘vindicates’ residents
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding was glad the issue had finally been taken on by the state government. (ABC News: Tobias Loftus)
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said odours from waste facilities and industrial estates in the region had been an issue since at least 2012.
“This report vindicates something that our residents have known for over a decade,” she said.
“The odours from the waste industry – from those non-compliant waste industries – that are breaking the law, [are] impacting their health and their wellbeing.
“That is now a scientific fact.”
She said it was a relief the inquiry had found the odours – which she experienced herself – were not, however, cancer-causing.
They remained an ongoing problem, she said.
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“I’m the Mayor of Ipswich and I can’t have friends over in my backyard on a Sunday afternoon,” she said.
“It stinks, it’s revolting. It smells like ammonium and fertiliser.”
‘Looked like a burns victim’
Local residents, along with the Ipswich mayor, were briefed by health and environment department officials on Wednesday morning, ahead of the report being tabled in state parliament.
Michelle Filippi, who moved to the Swanbank area in 2021, said she began to develop new allergies, eczema and subsequently hives, soon afterwards.
Michelle Filippi began developing rashes and hives after moving to the region. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
“I looked like a burns victim. My eyes were swollen,” she said.
These days, Ms Filippi is on about six injections a month to manage those allergies.
Waste facility fined over smell
She was cautiously optimistic about the progress the government was making, saying it was “slow” but “getting there”.
But Ms Fillipi said if things did not materially improve with the smells, she would still have to consider moving out of the area.
She said compensation for impacted residents was something she would like to see.
“I’ve lost about four years of work,” Ms Fillipi said.
Ipswich woman Tracey Butler said the odour has robbed her of fresh air. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)
Redbank Plains resident Tracey Butler said the release of Wednesday’s report had been a long-time coming and it was validating to have residents’ concerns heard.
“It’s taken a long time to get to here,” she said.
“When we first asked for a health inquiry, it was knocked back.”
If the inquiry had achieved anything, Ms Butler said it showed there was an issue and no one had been “making it up”.
“They understand now [that] what we are saying is true,” she said on Wednesday.
‘We’re not lying. This is what’s happening to us.”
Health hotline established
Health Minister Tim Nicholls says the inquiry worked closely with the Ipswich community. (ABC News: William Murray)
Environment and health department officials are expected to hold another meeting with Ipswich residents next week.
Speaking in state parliament as he tabled the report, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the inquiry had engaged extensively with the community.
“Importantly, the public health inquiry did not find any evidence of an increased risk of cancer in the exposed population or that the odours are toxic,” he said.
“However, the report makes clear that odorous chemicals in the air do not need to be at toxic levels to impact human health.
“The findings reveal what the people of Ipswich have known for many years.”
Mr Nicholls said the government supported all the recommendations and would set up an inter-departmental committee to oversee their implementation, as well as a dedicated Swanbank health hotline.
“Impacted community members can contact this service for health advice from a registered nurse if needed,” he said.
