The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is investigating odour complaints from residents in the Secret Harbour and Mandurah areas.

I am taking the issue very seriously and have been in regular contact with the Minister for Environment’s office regarding this issue.

I am advised that the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is continuing to undertake intensive investigations and field odour surveys within the areas impacted by these odours.

The investigations carried out by both DWER and the specialist odour expert have identified a specific issue at one of the sites. DWER is working as quickly as it can to determine the required action to reduce emissions which should reduce the impacts being experienced by the community.

I would like to thank the community for reporting the ongoing odour impacts, as this has greatly assisted DWER in the investigation and identification of the odour sources.

The community is asked to continue to report odour impacts to Pollution Watch, providing as much detail regarding the odour and impact as possible. To report any issues from odour in your area to the Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or by email at [email protected] you can also use the online report tool via this link: https://www.wa.gov.au/service/natural-resources/pollution-emission-control/how-report-odour

DWER’s Community Update page is regularly updated and can be found at: www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/environment-information-services/rockingham-and-mandurah-area-odours

Background

Field odour surveys have been conducted by officers from the department as part of its investigations. During the surveys on 15 and 16 February 2024, officers from the department identified the activities of several companies in Nambeelup which have the potential to cause or contribute to odour emissions. 

On 22 February 2024, Environmental Protection Notices were issued to two companies in Nambeelup including WA Composts Pty Ltd trading as C-Wise (EPN 202401) and Derby Industries Pty Ltd trading as Craig Mostyn Farms Pty Ltd (CM Farms) (EPN 202402). Non-compliance with the requirements of an EPN is considered a serious offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. 

C-Wise was directed to:

• take immediate action to reduce the risk of odour emissions from the liquid waste storage and treatment ponds
• conduct investigations into liquid waste storage and treatment ponds at the premises to ensure effective control of odour emissions from the ponds
• engage an odour expert to conduct an odour analysis considering all waste types received at the premises
• provide a report on investigations undertaken to the department including details of any improvements that can be made to operations on the premises to reduce unreasonable odour emissions.

View the C-Wise EPN.

CM Farms was directed to:

• engage a wastewater expert to undertake an investigation into the performance of the wastewater treatment ponds on the premises and provide details of factors that are likely to be contributing to the unreasonable odour emissions from the ponds
• identify any improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and wastewater treatment ponds necessary to reduce the potential for unreasonable odour emissions
• provide a report on investigations undertaken to the department including details of any improvements that can be made to operations on the premises to reduce unreasonable odour emissions.

View the CM Farms EPN.

Current situation

The department is continuing to undertake intensive investigations and field odour surveys within the Nambeelup, Secret Harbour, Singleton and Mandurah areas impacted by these odours. The department acknowledges the impacts on the community from the odour and is taking this issue very seriously. The department is continuing to actively investigate these issues and is seeking a resolution as quickly as possible.

Given the preliminary findings from both C-Wise and CM Farms, the department has separately engaged an odour expert to assist with field odour surveys and investigations of all sites in the Nambeelup precinct. The expert will provide independent advice to the department on measures required or necessary to quickly mitigate odour emissions from any identified odour sources. 

Through the investigations undertaken to date, the department has identified significant issues with the ponds at one of the premises. The department is determining the required action necessary to reduce emissions from the ponds which should reduce the impacts being experienced by the community. Establishing and maintaining stable and acceptable operating conditions within the ponds is complex and will take time to complete. However, it is being progressed as quickly as possible. The department is seeking to engage an additional wastewater expert to ensure the correct solutions are identified. 

Once the department and its engaged odour expert have completed investigations, the department will review the outcomes and information provided by the companies as part of the EPNs to determine what further regulatory actions may be required.

The department is grateful for the community reporting the ongoing odour impacts which greatly assists in the investigation and identification of odour sources. 

Community members and residents are reminded that it is important to report odour impacts at the time odour is occurring by calling the Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or using the online reporting tool. Please be as specific as you can when describing the odour and the impact it is having on you. 

More information

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. If you have any questions relating to this issue, please email [email protected]