An Ipswich waste operator has been fined more than $600,000 following complaints by near-by residents of a “rotten egg gas” odour throughout 2022.
Queensland’s environmental regulator, the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), began investigating the odour after numerous reports about the smell between March and July 2022 and following an extreme weather event in February 2022.
DETSI Industry Development and South East Compliance Executive Director Brad Wirth said it was the highest penalty ever handed down under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 for an environmental odour nuisance offence.
Mr Wirth said the ruling set a new precedent in Queensland for odour prosecutions.
“Following charges being laid by DETSI, the company pleaded guilty to seven offences of contravening a condition of an Environmental Authority,” he said.
Mr Wirth said the Court found the company failed to take all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent the odour.
He said the Court also found that the company committed other offences, including unlawfully pumping contaminated water around its site and unlawfully using that water for dust suppression.
“As part of its investigation, DETSI obtained statements from residents and engaged an odour expert consultancy firm to undertake a series of field surveys to assist in determining the source of the odour.”
Mr Wirth said Ipswich residents were set to directly benefit from the landmark result, with $212,000 of the overall penalty to fund community projects under a public benefit order (PBO).
He said a PBO was an enforcement tool that required an operator to carry out or fund activities that restore or enhance the environment in a public place or for the public benefit.
“Ipswich City Council will receive $190,000 under the PBO for much-needed upgrades to the Nature Centre in Queens Park, one of Ipswich’s most visited public attractions.
“This will enhance opportunities for children and families in the local area to get up close and experience unique local wildlife and a nature education experience.”
Mr Wirth said the remaining $22,000 would fund free environmental education activities for children and families.
“The impact this operator had on the community was simply unacceptable.
“I want to assure the Ipswich community that we are continuing to pursue all available avenues to ensure compliance by all local waste operators and ask the community to continue to report odour nuisance when they are impacted.”
