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Cleanaway New Chum odour issues – completion of incident response

Between April and November 2022, the Department of Environment and Science (department) undertook inspections of waste operators in the Swanbank area of Ipswich to deal with excess water and odour issues.

The department acknowledged that odour issues have been a longer-term problem.

Investigations conducted by the department identified that the Cleanaway landfill located in New Chum was a major source of the odour issues impacting the community, particularly around the Collingwood Park area.

The May 2022 rain event resulted in a large volume of stormwater accumulating in a landfill cell (known as cell 3B). The water became contaminated with wastes from the site and this mixture became anaerobic through fermentation, releasing hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas) leading to the odour.

The department took action to ensure those responsible for the odour cease impacting the community and the issues were resolved as quickly as possible.

By October 2022, the affected cell was empty of water, community complaints about odour issues had significantly reduced and air monitoring results were generally below nuisance levels.

This means the department transitioned the environmental regulatory response from an incident response into a standard operations phase.

This page includes a summary about action taken, operational updates and links to newsletter updates that were provided to the community as part of the response. Frequently asked questions were also featured during the response. The FAQs page was decommissioned from the website as part of the move to standard operations.

The final operational update on 8 December 2022 (further down this page) for the Cleanaway New Chum odour issues response includes more details about the department’s ongoing commitment to monitoring the Cleanaway New Chum site and other Environmental Authority holders in the Swanbank Industrial Area and how interested members of the community can continue to receive updates about the department’s ongoing environmental regulatory work in the area.

Read more about the air monitoring program conducted between April and October on the Cleanaway New Chum odour issues air quality monitoring results page.

What action was taken?

As Queensland’s environmental regulator, the department:

  • commenced a formal investigation into the Cleanaway issue to determine if there has been any unlawful activity. This investigation is still underway.
  • issued Cleanaway with two formal Directions Notices requiring them to:
    • transfer excess water offsite to reduce water levels
    • continue to treat water onsite
    • take steps to better distribute chemical treatments to address odour issues
  • issued Cleanaway with one information notice under Section 451 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. This notice sought specific information and records relating to the operator's activities to manage odour on-site. Unlike Directions Notices, they are not publicly available on the Public Register Portal.
  • increased inspections at Cleanaway to ensure the company addressed the odour issues to reduce the impacts to the local community
  • undertook air quality monitoring at the Cleanaway site, working with Queensland Health to review the data collected
  • undertook air quality monitoring in the local community, working with Queensland Health to review the data collected
  • issued an environmental protection order to Cleanaway on 12 April 2022 to undertake their own air monitoring onsite and report regularly to the department
  • issued a second environmental protection order (in relation to the current odour issues) to Cleanaway on 21 June 2022 directing them to assess gas management on site and develop a plan to reduce gas emissions
  • issued Cleanaway with a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NOPA) to its Environmental Authority (EA) in response to the generation and release of odours from the site. Cleanaway responded to the NOPA and DES is currently considering their response. In the NOPA, DES proposed that cell 3B (the cell affected by large amounts of stormwater) must not receive waste and that a rehabilitation and closure plan (RCP) be developed for the cell and for the plan to then be implemented. The RCP must be designed to prevent groundwater and surface water coming in contact with waste and that the design results in a safe, stable and non-polluting land condition. The RCP must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and peer reviewed. If DES proposes to amend an EA, the Environmental Protection Act 1994 requires that DES gives the person or company that holds the EA a NOPA. NOPAs are important because they can result in changes to the EA that affect how an activity can be conducted on a site. An EA holder who is given a NOPA is given a set period of time to respond and provide a submission, prior to DES making a decision on the proposed EA amendment. After properly considering any submission from the EA holder, if DES is satisfied that an amendment is necessary or desirable, the amended EA will be published on the Public Register Portal. NOPAs are not currently available on the Public Register.

Resource Recovery Area (RRA) update

  • While not directly related to the 2022 Cleanaway cell 3B odour issues regulatory response, on 21 October 2022, the department reached a decision about the lawfulness of the resource recovery area (RRA) declared by Cleanaway.
  • Since September 2021, the department has been carefully considering information associated with the RRA approvals.
  • The department has determined that Cleanaway does hold the necessary state and local government approvals required for conducting the recycling activity on the site, and therefore there is no basis for the revocation of the RRA at this time.
  • The department considered information provided by Ipswich City Council, Cleanaway’s submission and proactively sought independent, expert advice as part of the review.

Operational updates

8 December 2022

  • The previously inundated landfill cell is now effectively empty.
  • Cleanaway is undertaking groundworks on-site as part of their wet weather planning. This includes diverting water away from landfill cells and installing a liner to ensure any water entering the cell, does not come into contact with waste and create odour issues.
  • Community complaints have significantly reduced and air monitoring results are generally below nuisance levels.
  • As a result, the department has transitioned the regulatory response from an incident response into standard operations. This means these regular website operational updates will finish.
  • The department will continue to monitor the Cleanaway New Chum site and will update the community about any significant compliance actions.
  • The department is committed to ensuring Environmental Authority (EA) holders in the Swanbank and surrounding areas are complying with their environmental responsibilities. The department will continue to manage and monitor risks through our assessment, compliance, investigation and enforcement activities. The department is committed to ensuring EA holders are planning for the predicted 2022-23 wet season.
  • Updates about the department’s regulatory work in the Swanbank and New Chum areas will continue to be provided in the department’s newsletter. Interested members of the community can subscribe to stay up to date with the latest news and info from the Odour Abatement Taskforce.
  • Since April 2022, the department has been conducting a community air monitoring program in the New Chum and surrounding areas as part of the Cleanaway New Chum response. Visit the Cleanaway New Chum odour issues air quality monitoring results to read a summary of the program, key findings and view data.

Previous updates

  • There is 4.9 ML of water in the affected cell (as at 28 August). This amount is equivalent to just under two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Last week’s August 24 newsletter included photos of the affected cell taken by department officers in March, May and August.
  • Chemical dosing and the pumping and transport of water from the cell to authorised discharge points continues to decrease in proportion to the lowering level in the affected cell.
  • Aeration and deodorising continues in and around the affected cell.
  • The Environmental Protection Order issued by the department to Cleanaway on 21 June directed them to assess gas management on site and develop a plan to reduce fugitive gas emissions (odorous gas that escapes from landfill cells). In response, Cleanaway has started work to expand its existing network of landfill gas management wells. This involves drilling into a waste mass to set up new wells. It is possible that during this work, community members may notice odour, predominately hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg gas). The department continues to encourage residents to report odour to the Pollution Hotline by phoning 1300 130 372 (option 3) or report online. Odour reports are reviewed in parallel with site activities reported by Cleanaway, the department’s site observations and community air monitoring data to determine the source of odour and inform ongoing compliance and investigative work. Installation of gas collection wells is a common practice for gas management at landfills. The gas collection wells capture and divert landfill gas to a flare for combustion. Combustion is the most common technique for controlling and treating landfill gas. Combustion technologies such as flares thermally destroy the organic and odorous compounds in landfill gas and minimise atmospheric gas emissions and odours associated with these gases. There is one flare at the Cleanaway New Chum site.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated with one new air monitoring canister result from a residence in Goss Drive, Collingwood Park.
  • There is 7.0ML of water in the affected cell (as at 20 August). Water continues to be treated and pumped out of the cell and transported off site to sewer via authorised discharge points (manholes).
  • The water level in the affected cell is now low enough for transportation to the discharge points and for dosing to decrease. During the past week, transportation and dosing has also reduced. Assessments are continuing to occur regularly to gauge the volume of water in the cell to determine the need for dosing and pumping out of the water.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated on the website with H2S data up to 16 August. The data continues to show lower levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) being detected, which is reflected in a reduced number of community reports to the Pollution Hotline.
  • The department has issued Cleanaway with a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NOPA) to its Environmental Authority (EA). In the NOPA, DES is proposing that cell 3B (the cell affected by large amounts of stormwater) must not receive waste and that a rehabilitation and closure plan (RCP) be developed for the cell and for the plan to then be implemented. Cleanaway has until 6 September 2022 to make a submission to DES about the proposed amendment to its EA. More information about NOPAs is on this page in the ‘What action is being taken?’ section.
  • The water level in the affected cell has dropped to 6.1ML. During the past fortnight, water has continued to be treated, pumped out of the cell and transported off site to authorised, sewerage discharge points (manholes).
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated with two new results from canisters at homes in Cothill Rd, Booval, and Dawn Parade, Riverview.
  • There is 15.2ML of water in the affected cell (as at 31 July). Water continues to be treated and pumped out of the cell and transported off site to sewer via authorised discharge points (manholes).
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated on the website with H2S data up to 25 July. The data continues to show lower levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) being detected, which is reflected in a reduced number of community reports to the Pollution Hotline.
  • The volume of the water body is continuing to decline with minimal rain in the last week.
  • The department continues to meet with Cleanaway representatives to discuss their plans to intercept groundwater from the affected cell. Cleanaway has started work on constructing a groundwater interception trench. This is intended to manage the groundwater that is flowing into the water body so the volume of water can be reduced and the area can be remediated.
  • The department also continues to request updates about the actions being taken on site to manage the odour, reduce the volume of water, manage leachate and manage fugitive emissions on site.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated on the website with H2S data up to 18 July. During the past week, the department’s air quality monitoring program has continued to detect much lower levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the area, which is reflected in a reduced number of community reports to the Pollution Hotline.
  • Results from four more community air quality monitoring canisters have also been sent to residents and are available on the air quality monitoring data web page. The results are from canisters in Hubert St, Dinmore and Shanahan Pde, Redbank Plains.
  • The department continues to have a presence at the New Chum site with officers visiting at least three times a week to meet with Cleanaway representatives, make site observations and verify progress. Senior staff from the department and Cleanaway meet twice a week to understand what is being done, what challenges have arisen and what Cleanaway is yet to focus on.
  • There is 25.9ML of water in the affected cell (as at 17 July). Water continues to be treated and pumped out of the cell and transported off site to sewer via authorised discharge points (manholes).
  • Ground water continues to enter the affected cell at a rate of about 2ML per day. Cleanaway is investigating options to intercept the groundwater to prevent it from entering the cell however the majority of the water in the cell must be removed to do this. In the meantime, the water body is being treated with sodium hypochlorite to minimise odour generation.
  • The number of odour complaints has remained relatively low during the past fortnight.
  • New air monitoring equipment is being trialled by the department to analyse air quality samples from the Cleanaway site. The equipment is capable of testing for more compounds than the current technology. The increased sensitivity is being evaluated to create air quality ‘fingerprints’ for various industries and individual sites. Read more in our latest newsletter update.
  • There were no significant additional site impacts after last week’s rain.
  • The main focus continues to be reducing odour and the water level in the affected cell.
  • Last week’s rain caused a slight interruption to the transport of affected water off-site to authorised QUU locations.
  • While last week’s rain did not significantly impact the water level in the affected cell, ground water continues to enter the cell at a rate of about 2ML, continuing to make reducing the water level a slow process. Cleanaway continues to work on a plan to address the ground water.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated on the website. During the past week, the department’s air quality monitoring program has detected much lower levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the area, which is reflected in a reduced number of complaints to the Pollution Hotline.
  • The department has been in regular contact with Cleanaway to ensure they were prepared for the anticipated rainfall this past weekend and that they had taken steps to manage stormwater and minimise the likelihood of odour issues being exacerbated.
  • During the past week, Cleanaway has continued to remove between 2.8–3.2 ML of water.
  • The water level in the affected cell has continued to slowly drop, although there was a slight increase in the water level over the weekend as a result of the rain. Groundwater also continued to enter the water body at an estimated rate of over 2 ML over the past week.
  • Cleanaway continued to undertake works onsite including capping and stormwater management works to mitigate further water entering the affected cell.
  • Results from a further five community air quality canisters have been provided to residents and are available on the static air quality monitoring page. The latest results are from canisters in Quartz Court, Tone Drive, Maudsley Crescent, Reerden Street and Alawoona Street in Collingwood Park.
  • Cleanaway continue to reduce the volume of water in the landfill cell by removing between 2.5–3.3ML of water per day. However, groundwater is also entering the water body at an estimated rate of over 2.0ML per day, meaning that progress is slow in reducing the water level.  Cleanaway is investigating options to intercept the groundwater to prevent it from entering the cell however the majority of the water in the cell must be removed to do this. In the meantime, the water body is being treated with sodium hypochlorite to minimise odour generation.
  • Department officers continue to conduct regular site inspections.
  • During the past week aerators and deodorisers have continued to operate. Some maintenance and repairs have been required to some of this equipment.
  • The capping works (to cover waste materials) are continuing on some sections of the site to help manage fugitive emissions and reduce odour. This process involves covering areas with clean soils and clays creating a barrier between the waste and the environment.
  • The Environmental Protection Order (EPO), issued to Cleanaway New Chum on 21 June (Enforcement number 100256441) is now available on the Public Register Portal.
  • The static air quality monitoring web page has been updated to include hydrogen sulfide (H2S) data from 10 departmental air monitoring sites in the local area up until 17 June. Live data is also available.
  • Results from a further eight community air quality canisters have been provided to residents and are also available on the static air quality monitoring page. The latest results are from canisters in Carlyle St and Mitchell St in Riverview, Currawong St and Cooneana St in Bundamba, Cothill Rd in Booval, Banks Court and Perry St in Redbank Plains and Botanic Crescent in Brookwater.
  • On 21 June 2022, the department issued Cleanaway with a second environmental protection order (EPO), in relation to the current odour issues. The EPO directs Cleanaway to assess gas management on site and develop a plan to reduce gas emissions. The EPO will be available Friday on the Public Register Portal. You can also visit Odour Abatement Taskforce to view the list of enforcement actions for the Swanbank area.
  • Department officers continue to conduct regular inspections to meet with Cleanaway representatives to discuss water levels, water removal, pond dosing progress and to conduct observations of the affected landfill area.
  • Air monitoring results for hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg gas) this past week, continue to be below the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy health and wellbeing objectives. However, the odour nuisance objective has been exceeded which explains why community members are reporting odour issues.
  • Over the last week, hydrogen sulfide exceedances above the nuisance levels were monitored predominantly in the early hours of the morning in Riverview, Collingwood Park and Dinmore.
  • Since Friday 10 June, about 1475 truckloads of water have been transported offsite to the Bundamba sewerage treatment plan via authorised points (manholes).
  • On Friday 17 June, drones were on site to conduct aerial observations. This imagery contributes to the current operational response and to the broader investigation into Cleanaway.
  • Water levels continue to drop slowly with the water body being treated with Sodium Hypochlorite to minimise odour generation.
  • The department continues to monitor Cleanaway’s onsite remediation progress by conducting regular inspections and assess compliance with the Directions Notice issued in April.
  • Capping works (to cover waste materials) are occurring on some sections of the site to help manage fugitive emissions and reduce odour.
  • Two additional aerators have now been added to the existing aerators and deodorisers operating onsite to help reduce odour.
  • Cleanaway continues to transport up to 3ML of water off-site each day, all of which is treated prior to being discharged to the authorised points.
  • Since last Friday, about 950 truck loads of water have been transported offsite to the Bundamba sewerage treatment plan via authorised points (manholes).
  • Another air monitoring canister was delivered yesterday to a home in Collingwood Park. Thanks to local residents who continue to support the air monitoring program. To find out how to get involved visit our FAQs or contact the Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372. There is no cost to residents to participate.
  • Check out our latest e-newsletter that was sent yesterday. You can also subscribe for future updates.
  • Air monitoring by the department’s hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitors and community canister devices (that measure up to 74 different compounds) are an important part of our compliance efforts. Results from the H2S monitors are published live to our website and are monitored to ensure they are within acceptable health and wellbeing levels. Community members can request to have a canister device delivered to their home.
  • Cleanaway New Chum is establishing a Community Reference Group (CRG). Read the full scope of the CRG and nominate by visiting the Cleanaway website. EOIs can be submitted by Wednesday 23 June. There are four questions to answer as part of a nomination.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated with results from six community monitoring sites. Results are from canisters at homes in Nicholis Dr and Benjamin Dr in Redbank Plains, Forgan Smith Drive and Avoca Crt in Collingwood Park, Vale St, Bundamba and High St, Blackstone. All air monitoring locations can be viewed on the location map at the top of the air quality monitoring data page.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated. The DES air monitoring in the community now includes data from 15 April to 2 June. The results are below the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy health and wellbeing objectives. However, the odour nuisance objective has been exceeded which explains why community members are reporting odour issues.
  • Since last Friday, about 830 truckloads of water have been transported offsite to the Bundamba sewerage treatment plant via authorised points (manholes).
  • New questions and answers were added to the Frequently asked questions (FAQs) page. The answers cover topics such as what is happening to the water being removed from the site, who is paying for the water treatment and why trucks have not been running 24 hours a day, seven days a week to fix the problem more quickly.
  • The department continues to undertake site visits to monitor Cleanaway’s onsite remediation progress.
  • Cleanaway continues to transport of water off-site to the Bundamba sewerage treatment plant via five authorised points (manholes) and to Cleanaway’s Yatala water treatment plant.
  • Aerators and deodorisers continue to operate across the site and the exposed pond area continues to be dosed with chemicals to improve the water quality and reduce the odour.
  • Cleanaway has established a dedicated web page providing updates on the situation and progress being made onsite. This page provides a mechanism for community members to leave a comment which is responded to within 24 hours. A dedicated community hotline has also been established 1800 319 815.
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated with results from six community monitoring sites. Results are from canisters at homes in Eagle St, Burdekin Court, Tone Street and Brenda Court in Collingwood Park and Percy Lane and Cotton Street in Redbank Plains
  • Air quality monitoring data has been updated. The DES air monitoring in the community now includes data from 15 April to 25 May. There are no significant changes to the key findings. This week’s update includes data from two new H2S monitoring locations in Grenadier Circle, Ebbw Vale and Hubert Street Dinmore.
  • A total of 37 air monitoring canisters have been delivered to residents in the local area. Results from the canisters and other DES air monitoring sites in the area are published weekly. Live data of hydrogen sulfide is also available.
  • Subscribe for email updates about the Cleanaway New Chum odour issues by visiting the Odour Abatement Taskforce and subscribing to the weekly email update.
  • Wet weather is predicted to continue this weekend. Read the updated FAQs for more information about the impact of additional rainfall in May 2022.
  • Transport of water off-site resumed yesterday and continues today. An increase in the amount of water being transported off-site has occurred today. The water is being transported to the Bundamba sewerage treatment plant via five authorised points (manholes).
  • Air quality monitoring continues in the community. Read the FAQs top find out more about the data, how it is collected and how you can be involved.
  • Transport of water off-site resumed today. Eight tankers are transporting water to the Bundamba sewage treatment plant via designated points (manholes). Weather permitting, the plan is to increase the volumes being moved off-site from tomorrow.
  • As a result of the most recent rainfall, water levels at the Cleanaway New Chum landfill site have been increasing. On Sunday 15 May 2022, Cleanaway lodged an application for a temporary emissions licence (TEL) to pump excess water to another water storage facility on site so that the water could be diluted and released into Six Mile Creek. After reviewing the application and liaising with Cleanaway, the Department of Environment and Science deemed the application to be invalid due to insufficient information being provided about how water quality and odour risks associated with the proposal would be addressed. The department will continue to ensure that Cleanaway consider other options for reducing the volume of water on site and address odour issues.
  • The department is continuing increased site visits to monitor the water body onsite following the recent rain event.
  • The department has undertaken water quality sampling onsite using drone technology.
  • Transportation of water off-site remains suspended due to increased pressure on sewage treatment systems as a result of increased rainfall.
  • Read the FAQs for more information about the impact of the current rain event.
  • Earthworks have been undertaken on site to manage the heavy rainfall and divert as much as possible from the affected pond.
  • Dosing of the water continues to manage the odour.
  • Transporting water off-site has temporarily stopped. This is due to increased pressure on sewage treatment systems during heavy rainfall. The department will publish an update on this page when transportation resumes.
  • Air quality monitoring in the community is an important part of the department’s regulatory response to address the odour issues at the Cleanaway New Chum site. Read the FAQs below to find out more about the data and how you can be involved. It’s easy – phone us to register and a canister can be delivered to your door.
  • The department has been liaising with Cleanaway to ensure they are fully prepared for the anticipated rainfall this week and they are taking appropriate steps to manage stormwater and minimise the likelihood of odour issues being exacerbated.
  • Air quality data from three more community monitoring sites have been published. The results are from canisters located at one home in Riverview and two in Collingwood Park.
  • Excess water continues to be transferred from the site. Cleanaway has been provided with the relevant state and local government approvals to dispose of some of the water into the sewer system via designated points (manholes). This water is being treated at sewerage treatment plants and is not used for drinking water.
  • An information notice Under Section 451 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 has been issued to Cleanaway requesting information about the ongoing methods being used to address the odour issues.
  • Thanks to those local residents who have volunteered to have an air quality monitoring canister on their property. We have had 30 requests and 21 have now been delivered. Our map and new data from community canisters at the air quality monitoring results web page are expected to be updated by tomorrow.
  • Want email updates about the Cleanaway New Chum odour issues? Visit the Odour Abatement Taskforce and subscribe to the weekly email update. (In the right hand navigation, click on the ‘Subscribe’ link.)

Keep up-to-date

For regular updates, subscribe to the OAT Update newsletter.

Further information

Learn more about the Odour Abatement Taskforce.

Last updated:
8 December 2022
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