Dump site smells and odours could soon be deemed 'environmental harm' in Queensland, following review
The State Environment Minister has had a press conference interupted by Ipswich residents calling for action on bad odours from nearby dumps. Leanne Linard was announcing tougher laws to keep landfill operators in check, but locals fear it won't fix the problem.
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00:00Environment Minister Leanne Linard was trying to announce tougher laws on landfill operators
00:07in Ipswich, but was interrupted.
00:10How would you like to wake up every morning and have your head down the toilet and vomit?
00:16No windows open during the day.
00:19So you kept all this quiet from Stop the Sting, this presser today.
00:25I've heard your concerns before, we've spoken before, I attended your community meeting
00:28And what have you done since then?
00:31Tracey Butler from Stop the Sting Action Group says no one in the community was informed
00:36the changes were coming.
00:37New or expanding compost facilities that are receiving odorous waste must be in vessel
00:43or enclosed.
00:44Waste companies in breach of the new regulations could be fined $1 million or face up to five
00:50years in prison.
00:52They will give the environmental regulator the ability to amend existing environmental
00:57authorities.
00:58After the back and forth, the minister wrapped up the press conference.
01:03Thank you guys.
01:04Cut it off.
01:05Cut it off.
01:06That's what you're good at.
01:07Residents here in Ipswich aren't convinced that the tougher penalties will deter operators.
01:11Instead, they want to see facilities like this moved out of town.
01:16Shut them down, move them out west where no residents are.
01:21And with seven facilities nearby, she's not confident the stench will go away.
01:26I've lived here, out here, six years.
01:28I'm still waiting.