Six Month Deadline To Fix Odour Problems
ENVIRONMENT Minister Bill Marmion has given the Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) six months to eliminate odours plaguing Leeming and Willetton or face closure.
The ultimatum follows the 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 surrounding 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, and their observations and residents’ complaints would inform a decision on the future of the centre.
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 recent odour monitor, which showed unpleasant odours were emitted by the RRRC on 60 out of 100 days.
“These results should be more than enough for DEC 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,” he said.
SMRC chairman Tony Romano said the council was waiting to meet with DEC.
“The last 2½ years, we have been working with the DEC to improve the centre and we are committed to formulating a strategy to improve the centre going forward,” he said.
Source: Melville Times
