Investigators find ‘significant issues’ at one of the businesses causing Mandurah and Rockingham odours

Investigators looking into the source of odours that have plagued residents in Mandurah’s north and Rockingham’s south for months have found “significant issues” at one of the businesses identified as the source of the odours.

Organic carbon recycling company C-Wise and intensive piggery CM Farms were formally identified by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in February as the sources of ongoing odours.

The businesses were issued Environmental Protection Notices requiring them to investigate the stench and fix issues “as quickly as possible”.

The odours are often the subject of complaints from residents on local social media pages and online reports have flooded in from members of the public, with DWER receiving about 1400 reports in March alone, almost doubling the 750 received in February.

DWER updated its web page last week dedicated to the issue to include that “significant issues with the (wastewater) ponds at one of the premises” had been identified during investigations. The department said it was figuring out the best way to reduce odour 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,” DWER said.

“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.”

DWER said after completing investigations with an odour expert, it would review the outcomes and information required to be provided under the EPNs “to determine what further regulatory actions may be required”.

A DWER spokesperson told the Mandurah Times the odour issues in the wastewater ponds were related to a chemical imbalance.

“It was identified through information provided in response to the Environmental Protection Notices issued by DWER and through on-site investigations carried out by DWER and their odour expert,” the spokesperson said.

“DWER is currently determining the appropriate course of action to rectify the issue.”

The spokesperson declined to identify which business had been found to have the issue and said it would be “not be appropriate” to comment further because it was an active investigation.

Last September, CM Farms was fined $10,000 in Mandurah Magistrates Court for contravening its licence conditions under the Environmental Protection Act.

The Mandurah Times is not suggesting CM Farms is the subject of DWER’s latest investigation.

In February, C-Wise lodged a development application with the Shire of Murray to expand the capacity of its 25-year-old facility and eventually replace it with a $42 million upgraded facility.

Unreasonable odour reports can be made to the Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or online here.