Page 192 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 10 February 2016

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(a) work with affected residents in isolating the source of the odour;

(b) communicate with affected residents on the ongoing investigation and any outcomes; and

MS BURCH (Brindabella) (5.08): Madam Speaker, I will speak briefly to this and I welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion here today. I, too, have heard about these concerns, at a recent mobile office where local residents were raising it with me. As the minister for TAMS has said, the government has been dealing with complaints from a number of residents in Macarthur and Fadden since June of last year. As I have said, it has been raised with me a number of times and as recently as the weekend before last.

The government, through its agencies, has engaged with the affected residents in order to identify the source of the odour. While the number of formal complaints it has received could be considered relatively low, it is a matter of concern. As we have heard Ms Lawder talk about today, and certainly as local residents have said to me, it is something of concern to our local community.

The Mugga Lane landfill and other potential sources of odour out at the resource management centre have been investigated, and various operators at Mugga Lane have been assisting the Environment Protection Authority with these investigations. It is pleasing to note that, while various operators are complying with their environmental approvals, some changes have been made as a precautionary measure.

As has been said, despite the extensive efforts of the EPA and ACT NOWaste, it has not been possible to determine the source of the odour. I note and appreciate the minister’s comment to continue to seek solutions to the problem. I am very pleased to hear her offer for people to forward complaints to her. That is the comment I will be making at mobile offices in the future when this matter is raised with me.

The action taken by the EPA to improve the environmental management of Mugga Lane landfill by requiring ACT NOWaste to undertake modelling to assess potential odour impact into the planned future expansion of stage 5 is a significant step. This is a serious matter for the affected residents, and it is important that we do not resort to a knee-jerk reaction that will only give false hope to affected residents. Rather, we must find the cause of the problem and have a final and absolute solution.

I would like to recognise the commitment to safe recycling processes, and the government is continuing to look for ways to reduce waste going into landfill. As the minister explained, the Mugga Lane tip is an important asset for the territory, and has been receiving the ACT’s waste since the 1970s. As well as being a cost-effective solution, the new landfill cells are planned, designed and constructed to the highest standards.

I support Ms Fitzharris’s amendment and I put on the record that this is a matter of concern to me and the community of Brindabella. I will continue to work with the

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