Community questions

For the latest updates on the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s progress and activities in the Swanbank and New Chum industrial areas, please subscribe to receive our online newsletter.

See previous odour update newsletters.

On this page:

• NuGrow court case update
• About the odour issues
• Composting regulations
• Land use responsibilities
• Community reporting
• Air quality monitoring
• Health concerns
• For more information

NuGrow court case update

What is the NuGrow Court case?

On 1 December 2023, the department filed an application to the Planning and Environment Court (the Court) against NuGrow Ipswich Pty Ltd (NuGrow), seeking to restrain composting activities at NuGrow’s Swanbank site in order to provide the community with relief from odour impacts. The application followed a thorough investigation including firsthand accounts from more than 70 community members who detailed their experiences about being impacted by nuisance odour.

As part of its application, the department sought urgent interim orders to restrict NuGrow from receiving odorous waste, as well as final orders for enclosed/in-vessel infrastructure for the long-term management of odour. While the application for interim orders was dismissed by the Court, on 12 April 2024 the Court made orders, by consent, finding that NuGrow is a risk of causing odour nuisance to the community unless restrained. This paved the way for the Court to consider the department’s final orders to determine the most appropriate way to reduce long-term odour impacts on nearby residents.

What has been granted by the Planning and Environment Court?

On 18 September 2024, the Court granted the department’s application for a restraint order, which requires NuGrow to overhaul its operations to prevent nuisance odours from impacting the community, or immediately forfeit the ability to receive and process odorous waste.

What does the restraint order require and how does it work?

The restraint order is the strongest action that can be sought by the department under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Contravening an order issued by the Planning & Environment Court is a serious offence. Under the restraint order, NuGrow forfeits its ability to receive and process odorous waste if it doesn’t upgrade its facility or fails to meet the timeframes for actions stipulated in the order.

It will take time to obtain the required development approvals from Ipswich City Council and construct the necessary infrastructure to operate as an enclosed facility. For NuGrow to continue to receive odorous waste, the order requires construction of the permanent enclosed/in-vessel structure to be in place and operational within 21 months after the approvals are granted, but no later than 18 September 2028.

In order to manage odour in the meantime and to bring added relief to the community, a suite of progressive interim measures have been imposed in the order, in addition to mandating timeframes for permanent enclosure.

A summary of the three-stage process to overhaul NuGrow’s operations is outlined below:

Stage 1 – Interim measures

(to be implemented by 18 October 2024)

• All odorous waste (listed in the order) is to be processed on a mobile aerated floor system for a minimum of 21 days.
• The waste liquid receival tank must be routinely dosed with ferric chloride (binds with sulphides) and hydrated lime (controls pH) to neutralise odour.
• NuGrow must apply to Ipswich City Council for all necessary approvals to construct a temporary engineered membrane system.

Stage 2 – Temporary engineered membrane system

• Dosing of the waste liquid receival tank must continue.
• All odorous waste (listed in the order) must be processed within a temporary engineered membrane composting system for a minimum of 21 days or until pasteurisation is achieved—within 12 months after all necessary development approvals from Ipswich City Council are granted or by 18 September 2026, whichever is earliest.

Stage 3 – Permanent enclosed facility

• By 18 March 2025 NuGrow must apply to Ipswich City council for all necessary approvals to construct:
  • a permanent enclosed structure (maintained under negative pressure) for receiving and mixing waste; and
  • either an enclosed facility or in-vessel system for composting odorous waste.
• All odorous waste (listed in the order) must be processed within the approved permanent enclosed/in-vessel structures for a minimum of 21 days or until pasteurisation is achieved—within 21 months after all approvals being granted but no later than 18 September 2028.

NuGrow must also implement a monitoring program (temperature and oxygen) to assist maintaining optimum aerobic condition as part of the interim measures. NuGrow must inform the Planning and Environment Court when it has reached each of the major milestones.

If NuGrow fails to meet any of these timeframes it will immediately forfeit its ability to receive and process odorous waste.

What were the key stages in the restraint order process?

How will DESI monitor compliance with the Court order?

The department is responsible for monitoring compliance with the restraint order, in addition to continuing to monitor compliance with the conditions of the EA.

There are various ways in which this will be conducted, including undertaking regular inspections, reviewing information and data, undertaking sampling and laboratory analysis, and conducting odour monitoring.

In addition to authorised officers recording observations and collecting photo/videographic information on site, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) will also be used to collect aerial imagery and gather relevant information on NuGrow’s compliance with the restraint order and EA.

Most odorous wastes are required to be tracked when being transported within Queensland and this information will also be reviewed as necessary.

NuGrow is also required by the restraint order to inform the Court when it has reached each of the major milestones.

Will NuGrow be required to comply with the amended Environmental Authority?

Yes. The conditions of NuGrow’s Environmental Authority (EA) issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 authorises it to undertake composting and must be complied with at all times.

Amendments have been made to the EA to include a suite of improved odour management conditions that align with the order and the stronger composting regulations introduced last month.

NuGrow must comply with the Court order, the EA, and any other approvals issued by relevant agencies or local government.

What are the penalties for contempt of court and failure to comply with a condition of an EA?

Under section 930 of the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, if the court decides that NuGrow has committed contempt it may punish NuGrow by seizing its property or issuing a fine or both. The court may also make an order for punishment on conditions.

Under section 430 of the EP Act, it is an offence to contravene a condition of an EA. The maximum penalty that a court can impose on a corporation for wilfully contravening a condition of an EA is 31,250 penalty units (6250PU x 5 for a corporation; being $5,040,625 as at 1 July 2024).

What happens if the infrastructure isn’t approved by Ipswich City Council?

The restraint order requires all the necessary approvals be sought for the infrastructure to allow NuGrow to receive and process odorous waste at the site.

If the proposed infrastructure doesn’t meet Ipswich City Council’s standards for assessment, or the timeframes in the order are not met, NuGrow must stop receiving and using odorous waste.

What happens if NuGrow doesn’t build the infrastructure?

The restraint order prohibits NuGrow from receiving odorous waste if the milestones in the order are not met. The restraint order only requires the infrastructure to be built by NuGrow if it wishes to continue receiving and processing odorous waste at the site. NuGrow maintains the option to cease receiving odorous waste at any stage, in which case the infrastructure is not required.

What happens if NuGrow’s build is incomplete but a timeframe is reached?

The requirements of the restraint order set by the Court are final. If infrastructure is not built and operational within the required timeframes, NuGrow must stop receiving odorous waste.

What will stop NuGrow seeking extensions to the timeframes?

As a part of the mediated court process, NuGrow agreed to the timeframes set within the order that contemplate approval processes and construction timeframes. In the event that NuGrow is unable to build the necessary infrastructure within the timeframe it must immediately cease receipt of odorous waste.

If NuGrow wishes to change the requirements of the order, it must seek an amendment through the Court. The department does not have the authority to change the requirements of the order, and the department has been very clear with NuGrow that it would strongly oppose any future application to extend the timeframes.

What happens if NuGrow doesn’t comply and continues to accept odorous waste?

Under the restraint order, NuGrow forfeits its ability to receive and process odorous waste if it doesn’t upgrade its facility or fails to meet the timeframes for actions stipulated in the order.

If NuGrow continues to receive odorous waste in contravention of the restraint order, NuGrow would be liable to court proceedings to compel it to obey and punishment for contempt of court.

In addition, as the EA for the site has been amended align with the same requirements as the order, any non-compliance with the order may also be a non-compliance with the conditions of the EA (s. 430 of EP Act) and NuGrow would be subject to enforcement action by the department and the relevant penalties under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

As a result of legislative changes to strengthen requirements for composting facilities made in July 2024, it is also unlawful for waste transporters to take odorous waste to a site that is not authorised to accept it (s.93A of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019).

What is odorous waste?

Odorous waste (also called odorous feedstock) is a list of wastes considered to have a high potential for causing odour when used in a composting process.

The wastes listed in the order reflect the odorous feedstock listed in Schedule 18A of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019, and include for example, animal manure, abattoir waste, grease trap waste, food processing waste and biosolids.

How will dosing and aeration be effective in minimising odour and what other interim measures can be implemented to help reduce the odour?

In open windrow composting, proper dosing and aeration can act to minimise odours by maintaining optimal microbial activity and preventing anaerobic conditions, which are the primary cause of foul smells.

Under the restraint order, liquid receival tanks must be dosed with ferric chloride. Ferric chloride is typically used in the settling and clarification of drinking water, process water, and wastewater treatment units before treatment. It binds to solid particles and settles them out of the water. When used in odour suppression, ferric chloride reduces odour by altering the chemical reaction. Odours are generated from liquid waste when hydrogen sulphide is produced (the gas responsible for ‘rotten egg odours’) however ferric chloride binds with sulphides in the liquid waste to form a stable, insoluble form that settles out instead of forming the odorous hydrogen sulphide.

Aeration plays a key role by supplying oxygen to the composting material, facilitating aerobic decomposition, which generates fewer odorous gases compared to anaerobic processes. Techniques like using forced aeration systems (such as that with the mobile aerated floor system required by the order) help maintain proper oxygen levels and temperature, further minimising odour.

The use of biocovers, such as wood chips or mature compost over the composting windrow, acts as a natural filter, trapping odorous gases and promoting microbial activity that breaks down these compounds. These covers also help to regulate moisture, which is also essential for controlling odour.

Additionally, NuGrow is required to implement a monitoring program to track temperature and oxygen levels to ensure the composting process remains within optimal parameters. Implementing stockpile size limits is also a requirement and crucial, as overloading piles can lead to insufficient aeration and increased anaerobic conditions, resulting in stronger odours. By carefully managing these factors, NuGrow can significantly reduce its odour footprint from its open windrow composting while maintaining efficient organic matter breakdown.

How will an engineered membrane system be effective in minimising odour?

An engineered membrane system can reduce odour in composting by acting as a physical barrier that controls the release of volatile compounds responsible for unpleasant smells. These membranes are designed to allow airflow and promote aerobic conditions, which help accelerate decomposition while reducing the anaerobic processes that produce foul odours. This may result in more efficient composting with less environmental impact.

While an engineered membrane system is an improvement on open windrow composting, it is not recognised as best practice in reducing odour such as in-vessel or enclosed composting. An engineered membrane system is a progressive step toward the final stage of having a best practice enclosed/in-vessel composting system.

Why is in-vessel and enclosure considered best practice?

Odour emissions can vary significantly throughout the composting process. Over the life of a stockpile, odour emissions typically start out relatively high, depending on the type and freshness of the feedstocks, and can increase further as the thermophilic (high temperature) composting stage progresses. Once the thermophilic stage has concluded and the compost enters the curing or maturation stage, odour emissions begin to decrease until they reach an earthy character of background concentration levels.

In-vessel and enclosed systems are considered best practice as they capture air and gaseous emissions coming from the stages and processes with the highest odour emission potential, allowing for treatment prior to release. In-vessel and enclosed systems are most effective in minimising or preventing odour nuisance when using odorous feedstocks, especially when located near residential areas.

How does in-vessel and enclosure work? What areas are covered?

In-vessel and enclosure systems require installing infrastructure that captures and treats odour before air is released to the environment. They target specific parts of the composting process that have the highest risk of causing nuisance odour, and include waste receival areas, initial mixing bays, and areas where organic material is undergoing thermophilic stages of decomposition (typically the first 21 days).

An enclosed system involves constructing a building (or part of a building) where negative pressure is used, while an in-vessel system is one where the composting material is both covered or contained (e.g. in a vertical silo, drum, box or similar container) and is composted in a way that captures, filters or otherwise controls the release of gases.

These systems do not mean that there will be no odour being released but significantly reduce the potential for odour to cause a nuisance.

Once a composting stockpile reaches its curing or maturation stage the risk of odour decreases and as such will not need to be kept in an enclosed or in-vessel system.

About the odour issues

What causes the odour?

The department currently believes that the odour being experienced in Swanbank is largely attributable to waste management and composting facilities located in the Swanbank industrial area.

These operators must comply with the conditions on their environmental licences (environmental authorities) and the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, in addition to any approvals or requirements from local government and other State agencies.

Establishing the source of odour nuisance is a difficult task due to the nature of odour, especially in situations where there are multiple odour sources.

What happens when an operator is found to have breached their environmental obligations?

A variety of enforcement options are available to the department under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, if an operator is believed to not be complying with a requirement of the legislation or a condition of their environmental authority.

The department’s Enforcement guidelines outline the general principles behind our approach to enforcement and are considered when determining the appropriate compliance response. For minor, or non-reoccurring breaches, warning may be appropriate. Escalating offences may receive a fine, and/or enforcement action including the issuing of one or more statutory notices.

Serious offences and/or those with high impact may result in the department commencing criminal or civil proceedings in the relevant court.

What enforcement action has been taken?

The department has taken action against a number of operators in the Swanbank and New Chum industrial areas, including issuing various statutory notices and commencing court proceedings.

Investigations are ongoing and the department is committed to taking strong action against operators found to have been wilfully breaking the law.

The department has invested significant resources in these matters which include additional compliance inspections of regulated sites, engagement of a consultant company, deploying technical air monitoring equipment and working closely with other agencies. The department is working to ensure all avenues to resolve odour issues are being considered.

What are the maximum penalties if operators break the law?

The maximum penalties are set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and is expressed as the number of ‘penalty units’. For example, the maximum penalty for contravening a condition of an environmental authority, at section 430, is 4,500 penalty units for a non-wilful offence and 6,250 penalty units (or 5 years imprisonment) for a wilful offence. The value of a penalty unit is available online and is indexed annually. The maximum penalty for a company is five times the maximum for an individual.

The court takes various factors under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 into account when imposing a penalty, as well as penalties in previous comparable cases.

Can these operators be shut down?

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 contains a list of grounds for the suspension or cancellation of permits, licences or authorities. These grounds might include the holder being convicted of an offence under that legislation or not meeting specified suitability criteria for the permit, licence, or authority.

Where appropriate, when deciding whether to cancel or suspend a licence, permit or authority, the requirements of the legislation will be complied with and the department will consider the principles within its Enforcement guidelines.

Often outcomes being sought can be achieved without closing operations, but by ensuring the right management measures are in place or by limiting how an activity can occur.

Waste facilities such as those in the Swanbank and New Chum industrial areas are required to have multiple approvals in order to lawfully operate—from both local and state government. Local governments are also responsible for ensuring compliance with development approval conditions.

Has the department engaged with community?

Yes. The department recognises the odour being experienced by the community in and around the Swanbank and New Chum industrial areas is a serious issue and is being addressed as a priority.

The department continues to work closely with the community to address concerns about odour in the Ipswich area including by:

• deploying on-ground compliance and engagement officers to undertake compliance and face-to-face engagement with the local community
• regularly hosting community activations, including monthly information drop-in sessions that connect the Swanbank community with compliance and engagement officers who listen to concerns, answer questions and provide the latest updates about the odour investigation and related environmental regulatory activities in the area
• conducting a community air monitoring program involving community members input
• establishing community groups to work with the department on local odour issues
• publishing a regular newsletter for the community to stay up-to-date with what is happening in the Swanbank area, how they can be involved and find information.

The department thanks the community for their commitment to addressing odour issues and their ongoing odour reporting, which has played a critical role in our compliance and enforcement actions.

Composting regulations

During May and June 2024, statewide community and industry consultation was held about proposed changes to Queensland’s composting legislative requirements for composting facilities near residential areas.

More than 60 per cent of respondents were Ipswich residents.

More than 93 per cent of community and more than 70 per cent of industry and local government responses supported stronger regulations.

In August 2024, stronger regulations for composting facility standards were introduced.

These changes will help reduce the impacts of odour from composting facilities by requiring new and expanding operations that receive odorous waste within four kilometres of a residential zone to use in-vessel or enclosed processing.

The changes also provide an additional ground for us, as Queensland's environmental regulator, to update the environmental authorities of existing composting facilities to require them to move to in-vessel or enclosed processing and ensure transporters of odorous waste do not take waste to sites that do not meet this standard.

For more information about the changes and to view the consultation report, visit the DESI web page.

Information about the changes was also in the 3 August 2024 and 12 August 2024 Swanbank and New Chum odour update newsletters.

We understand the Ipswich community’s strong interest in this regulatory change, which was largely influenced by the ongoing issues being experienced in the area and have updated this page with some commonly asked questions.

How will the new regulations be implemented?

The new regulations strengthen new or amended environmental authority (EA) applications and provide grounds to improve existing EAs to require composters near communities to operate in line with best practice.

For new or expanding facilities within four kilometres of a residential zone, the department must consider imposing conditions for enclosed or in-vessel systems, or conditions to prohibit odorous feedstocks from being accepted, as part of the application assessment process.

Existing EAs will be reviewed and conditions amended on a site-by-site basis. To do this, a legislative process must be followed and operators have the right to seek a review or appeal any decision to include additional conditions.

We are working on implementing the changes to relevant operators’ EAs, and remain hopeful that composters will act in line with the community’s expectations to voluntarily improve their operations and reduce odour impacts.

Will in-vessel and enclosed systems mean no smell?

Enclosed or in-vessel processing is considered best practice for composting odorous feedstock. Enclosed and in-vessel systems capture the overwhelming majority of smells produced while composting to minimise the risk of odours travelling to nearby communities. However, they do not mean that absolutely no odour will be produced by the facility, but rather, that the community’s experience will be significantly improved.

Will the stronger regulations apply to all composting facilities in Swanbank?

Where they are located within four kilometres of residential area and using odorous feedstocks, these regulations will apply. While these regulations will apply to most facilities In Ipswich, not all operators are using odorous feedstocks in which case the regulations would not apply.

When will the stronger regulations be implemented?

The changes immediately apply when we consider EAs for new or expanding operations, however it will take time to progressively improve existing EAs in line with the new regulation. Therefore, the Ipswich community can expect amendments to be made progressively.

We are already taking court action against NuGrow Ipswich Pty Ltd to secure the use of an in-vessel and enclosed system, and have been liaising with other companies including Wood Mulching Industries Pty Ltd and Canerase Pty Ltd (Candy Soil) about voluntarily bringing their operations to best practice and to meet community expectations.

The changes will not affect composting facilities that are located more than four kilometres away from residential zones, or that are not receiving odorous waste.

What type of action would be taken for non-compliance and what penalties would apply?

If an EA has been updated to include a requirement to use in-vessel or enclosed systems for processing odorous waste, then the operator must comply with that condition. Breaching a condition of an EA, is an existing offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Enforcement action taken by us in response to non-compliance with a condition of an EA would be guided by the DESI enforcement guidelines.

The offence for non-compliance with a condition of an EA is in section 430 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The maximum penalties are $1 million or five years imprisonment for an individual and $5 million for a corporation for a wilful contravention and $726,000 for an individual and $3.6 million for a corporation for a non-wilful contravention, to be applied at the court’s discretion.

We can also now issue an Environmental Enforcement Order (EEO) or utilise other compliance tools available under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to secure compliance and improve on-site practices.

Land use responsibilities

Who is responsible for approving development in Queensland?

Local governments are generally responsible for approving new and expanding developments (both residential and commercial/industrial) under their local planning scheme.

Developing land can include making changes to the configuration of land, how it is used, undertaking building work or making operational changes (such as clearing) to the land itself.

The State government will be involved in the development assessment if the development is a State referable development.

What approvals are required to develop land for industrial purposes?

Required approvals vary depending on the specific activity and can include at least two types: development approvals (DAs) governed by the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) and environmental authorities (EAs) regulated by the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act).

Proponents for waste management facilities such as composting and landfill operations must navigate both legislative frameworks, due to the potential impacts to the environment and surrounding land uses.

What is the difference between a developmental approval (DA) and an environmental authority (EA)?

A DA regulates changes in land use, while an EA focuses on managing the environmental impacts of specific activities for that land use. DAs are usually approved by local government, and EAs are generally approved by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (the department).

Development Approvals—Planning Act

The Planning Act sets out the rules for how local governments are to draft local government planning schemes.

Local government planning schemes must balance the environmental, social and economic needs of the community. Planning schemes contain planning policies, zoning maps and development assessment codes.

A DA authorises assessable development and must be obtained prior to commencing a development or building work. DAs are in place indefinitely unless the landowner seeks to cancel it, or there are specific conditions requiring the land use to cease. DAs include a range of conditions such as hours of operation, layout of the site, the standard of construction of internal and external infrastructure and some site operational matters.

The Planning Act also establishes the process by which development is referred to the State for assessment.

Environmental Authorities—EP Act

An EA regulates potential impacts on air, water, land, and biodiversity from specific industrial activities that have a higher risk of causing environmental harm or impact on the community – these activities are called environmentally relevant activities (ERAs).

EAs may include requirements for pollution control measures, waste management practices, monitoring and reporting obligations, and compliance with relevant environmental standards.

Schedule 2 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 lists which activities are considered ERAs and require an EA. These include composting facilities (ERA 53 Organic material processing) and landfill operations (ERA 60 Waste disposal).

What role does the department have?

The department is Queensland’s environmental regulator and is generally responsible for regulating ERAs through a range of assessment, compliance, investigation and enforcement activities, in accordance with the EP Act.

During the EA assessment process, the department considers the environment and community impacts of the proposed activity and imposes conditions to prevent or minimise those impacts. EAs are not currently subject to a regular review and can only be amended by the department through consent from the operator or when a specific trigger in the legislation is met.

The department is responsible to manage compliance with EA conditions and responds to breaches of the legislation with consistent and proportionate enforcement action.

Some ERAs have been devolved to local government or are regulated by other state government departments. Activities devolved to local government are listed in section 133 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and include for example, ERA 6 Asphalt manufacturing. Activities involving primary industry (such as intensive animal feedlotting, pig and poultry farming) are regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

What role do regulatory authorities (local and state government) have in managing encroachment near industrial activities?

Residential encroachment occurs when non-urban areas are rezoned for urban purposes near existing industrial areas.

Encroachment has been occurring near the Swanbank and New Chum industrial areas, where adjacent incompatible land uses are contributing to odour impacts being experienced by the community.

Land use planning is primarily the responsibility of local government. Planning schemes are updated regularly especially in South-East Queensland which has been experiencing high levels of population growth and strong demand for housing.

Local planning schemes have policies and assessment codes relating to distances between urban and industrial uses. Local governments decide how much residential encroachment is acceptable.

The State can prepare planning schemes for housing in Priority Development Areas under the Economic Development Act 2012. The State can also prepare planning schemes for industrial development in State Development Areas under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.

The department cannot amend an EA or shut down an activity due to residential encroachment.

Are there recommended buffer distances between residential development and composting or landfill activities?

Yes, the department has published guidelines for industry to use during the planning and designing stages of their operation. These guidelines outline the necessary considerations an operator must make to mitigate impacts to sensitive receptors and the environment, which includes ensuring there are appropriate buffer distances between the site and sensitive areas.

Recommended buffer distances will vary based on several factors such as the type of operation, management processes, site infrastructure and what activities are being undertaken.

Buffer distances stipulated in any guidelines may be adopted in local government planning schemes. However, under the Planning Act, local governments cannot mandate these buffers and each application must be considered against all the environmental, social and economic requirements of the planning scheme.

Relevant guidelines and buffer distances for landfill and composting operations are in the table below.

Community reporting

Why should I make a report?

With the help of reports from the community, the department has identified key operators that are likely responsible for causing odour nuisance.

Reports assist in providing knowledge of who, when, and how they are impacted. All odour reports received by the department are used to correlate trends in odour movement, weather conditions, timing and potential sources of odour. This information allows the department to predict the likelihood of environmental nuisance and target our operations in order to gather information and evidence about what community is experiencing.

It’s important for the community to continue to reporting odour as it occurs to give the department the best opportunity to respond and target compliance activities.

How can I report odour nuisance?

You can report odour nuisance to the department by:

• completing the online environmental reporting form
• contacting the Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 (option 3)
• emailing pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au.

You can make a report 24-hours a day.

Odour is one type of pollution the department receives reports about. Visit our Reporting pollution information, for more detail about reporting other pollution issues such as noise, dust, water and significant pollution incidents.

What information should I include in my odour report?

When reporting odour, it is important to include as much detail as possible to assist compliance officers in their investigations. This includes:

• your name, contact details and residential address
• where you are currently being impacted
• time and date you experienced the odour
• description and intensity of odour
• where you think the odour is coming from (if known)
• how the odour is impacting on your daily activities.

Every report community provides demonstrates continued impact by neighbouring industries and provides more information that the department can use to conduct investigations, proactive field response during peak odour events and ultimately statutory actions, including taking matters to court, if industry fails to respond.

What happens when I make a report?

The department uses information in odour report to provide insight into the extent of the impact and identify trends that help target our compliance activity in the Swanbank area.

Given the high number of reports we receive, you may not be contacted directly about your report. If you are not contacted after a report, this doesn’t mean that the report wasn’t used – all reports work together to help identify trends and take further action.

If your report is being considered for use as evidence in relation to an investigation and/or related enforcement action, we may contact you to provide a statement.

Air quality monitoring

How is odour related to air quality?

Odour is a kind of air pollution that is made up of a mixture of gases in the air that we can smell. Odour is often influenced by natural processes, meteorological conditions, topography and the time of year.

Odours we can smell are usually a result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air such as sulphur compounds (e.g. hydrogen sulfide which is often referred to as rotten egg gas), nitrogen compounds (e.g. ammonia) and other organic compounds that can be formed or emitted through composting or landfill operations.

To investigate odour nuisance, it is important to monitor air quality holistically to understand what compounds or pollutants are in the air, what levels they are at, where they may come from and if trends are emerging (e.g. with air movement). These factors, combined with reports to the Pollution Hotline and the department’s on-ground compliance program, help us monitor operator compliance with legislation and meet air quality objectives.

Queensland’s air quality objectives that are listed in the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2019, and can be viewed on the Queensland Legislation website.

Are there air quality monitoring stations in the Ipswich area?

Yes, the department has an extensive air quality monitoring network across Queensland, including air monitoring and weather stations in the Ipswich area to assist in determining where odours come from.

An air monitoring network has also been installed in the Swanbank area. The network monitors several factors that impact air quality and support odour detection such as wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar radiation and barometric pressure. Parameters measured by some of the stations include VOCs of ammonia and hydrogen, which are major components of unpleasant odours. The department is currently commissioning and integrating the new systems and will keep the community informed when data becomes publicly available.

See where our existing air monitoring network stations are located across Queensland and access the data.

Current investigation results, including live air quality monitoring of hydrogen sulfide can also be viewed.

Is the community involved in air quality monitoring?

Yes, the department has worked with the community, placing hydrogen sulfide monitors in homes, running a program for schools and early education facilities to sample air, and has provided air sampling canisters to residents concerned about air quality impacting their health (PDF, 669.8 KB) . View the investigation results data collected.

Why do we experience more odour in cooler months?

During the transition from summer through to winter, some areas across Queensland may start to experience cool overnight and morning temperatures.

During these periods of cool weather, you may notice a temperature inversion during the night and early morning. A temperature inversion occurs when the earth’s surface cools rapidly, causing the air at ground level to become colder than the air higher up in the atmosphere.

When this occurs, the blanket of warmer air sitting above the ground layer prevents soundwaves, odours and emissions from dispersing vertically into the atmosphere. This might mean that you hear more traffic, see more smoke or haze, or smell more odours during these hours.

If you are interested in the air quality closest to your area view live air quality data.

Health concerns

What should I do if I feel that my health is being impacted?

The department works closely with Queensland Health to ensure community are kept up-to-date with the latest public health advice relating to odour and air quality.

If at any time you believe that you or members of your household are experiencing health impacts associated with the odour, you are encouraged to speak to your doctor who can also contact the West Moreton Public Health Unit.

You can also speak to qualified health staff by calling the Queensland Government’s health advice line on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25), which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See further information on potential health impacts associated with Swanbank odour.

For more information

How can I stay informed?

Subscribe – we provide regular updates to the community on the progress of our activities through online newsletters. To help us get information to more people in the Swanbank, New Chum and surrounding community we encourage residents to subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

Report – residents are encouraged to report online when they are being affected by odour. Alternatively, the department maintains a 24-hour statewide pollution hotline. To report pollution you can call the 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 or email pollutionhotline@des.qld.gov.au.

Meet – see details on the next regular community drop-in sessions we will be hosting.

Visit – our Swanbank and New Chum web pages which include information about our work in the area, investigation results, previous editions of the online newsletter and links to community reporting, air monitoring, and Media releases.

Email – for further information email engagement@des.qld.gov.au.