Deadline Issued On Odour
‘After eight years of public outcry and millions of dollars in failed remedial work by the SMRC, ’local families deserve better.
By ANNE GARTNER
ENVIRONMENT Minister Bill Marmion has given the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) six months to eliminate odours plaguing Willetton and Leeming or face closure.
The ultimatum follows results of the Community Odour Monitoring Program, co-ordinated by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), which revealed green waste and fermented garbage odours were causing ongoing problems in nearby suburbs.
Mr Marmion said the results showed odour problems plaguing the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) run facility since 2006 had not been resolved. “This is a reasonable timeframe to expect a substantial reduction in the odour problem,” he said.
Mr Marmion said DEC officers would monitor the facility over the next six months, with their observations and residents’ complaints guiding a decision on the centre’s future.
Riverton MLA Mike Nahan said the SMRC’s licence to operate, which expires on October 22, should not be renewed in light of the results of the most recent odour monitor, which showed odours were emitted by the RRRC on 60 out of 100 days.
“Given the SMRC’s history and the problems that it is facing, I don’t believe its licence should be renewed by DEC, leaving the local community to try to appeal it once it’s been granted,” he said.
“These results should be more than enough for DEC, as the regulator, to finally take action against the SMRC.
“After eight years of public outcry and millions of dollars in failed remedial work by the SMRC, local families deserve better.”
SMRC chairman Tony Romano said the council was waiting to meet with DEC over the results of the odour monitor.
“The last two and half years, we have been working with the DEC to improve the centre and we are committed to formulating a strategy for the centre going forward,” he said.
Source: Canning Times
