These odours have predominantly been attributed to Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd (Steggles) and Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd (Inghams) chicken abattoir premises in Osborne Park.
Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd (Steggles)
Steggles operates under licence L7475/2000/9 for Category 15 – abattoir, for its premises at 116 Howe Street, Osborne Park.
On 27 May 2019, the department conducted an inspection at the premises. The inspection identified that an unreasonable odour was being emitted from the premises under certain wind conditions, impacting the amenity of neighbouring businesses. Throughout 2019, the department carried out several odour assessments at the Steggles premises to identify the source of odour. It was agreed that full enclosure of the live bird shed would be the most effective and appropriate method of reducing fugitive emissions from the premises.
On 26 November 2020, the department conducted a further inspection of the Steggles premises. The inspection verified that the infrastructure upgrades required by the department had been completed, with installation of two rapid open-close roller doors to fully enclose the bird shed. The doors operate automatically when vehicles arrive and remain open for six seconds before closing.
In addition to the required upgrades, the ‘scald stack’ (an emission pathway from the scalding room to the atmosphere) has also been diverted to the live bird area to further reduce fugitive emissions.
The department has noted a reduction in odour complaints attributable to the Steggles premises.
The department is currently monitoring complaints received for the Osborne Park area to verify the source of current odour events. The department encourages any odour event in the Osborne Park area be reported to Pollution Watch to assist the department in identifying, responding to and regulating premises emitting unreasonable odours.
Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd
Inghams operates under licence L7477/2001/9 for Category 15 – abattoir, for its premises at 9 Baden Street, Osborne Park.
On 2 September 2019, the department conducted an inspection at the premises. The inspection identified that odour controls at the site were not compliant with the requirements of the licence. The department required Inghams to undertake infrastructure upgrades to comply with the requirements to maintain the live bird shed under negative pressure.
In 2020, Inghams upgraded the odour control infrastructure at the premises; however, because of ongoing complaints, the department inspected the premises in January 2021 and concluded that the required upgrades, including negative pressure containment, had not been implemented effectively and were insufficient to control odour emissions.
At the department’s request, Inghams employed a consultant to identify the source of odour emissions and prepare an Improvement Plan to address odour impacts. The department was not satisfied with the Improvement Plan proposed by Inghams, and in May 2021 engaged its own odour expert to review the Improvement Plan and to undertake a joint inspection of the premises. This inspection confirmed, among other things, that infrastructure remained insufficient to control odour emissions and identified areas of odour emission.
The on-site wastewater treatment plant was identified as a key odour emission source. Following consultation with Inghams, in August 2022 the department received a works approval application for the replacement of the wastewater treatment plant. Following public consultation on the application and the department’s assessment, a works approval was granted in January 2023.
What’s happening now?
Show moreEnvironmental Protection Notice
The department considers that, in addition to upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, further infrastructure improvements are required at Inghams to ensure odour emissions are sufficiently controlled.
As a result of unreasonable odour emissions from Inghams interfering with the health, welfare, convenience, comfort or amenity of persons in the community, on 28 November 2022, the department issued Inghams with an Environmental Protection Notice (EPN) under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
The EPN required the immediate implementation of standard housekeeping and maintenance measures to mitigate several smaller odour sources. The EPN also includes requirements for more significant odour sources to be addressed through infrastructure upgrades to prevent odour emissions being detected beyond the site boundary. The department will continue to monitor progress and compliance with the EPN as works progress.
A copy of the EPN can be found on our website.
Works approval ‒ wastewater treatment plant upgrade
The department is aware that Inghams has commenced site works with commissioning expected in late 2023. The upgraded wastewater treatment plant is expected to assist in controlling odour emissions.
A copy of the works approval (W6696/2022/1) and the accompanying decision report can be found on our website.
Investigation and prosecution
Following its investigations into odour complaints, the department initiated a prosecution against Inghams relating to odour emissions in October and December 2021. Inghams was charged with two counts of Unreasonable Emission (Odour) and appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on 22 November 2023. The matter has been adjourned until 10 January 2024.
The department will continue to monitor complaints received for the Osborne Park area to verify the source of odour and to understand the effectiveness of the EPN requirements. Community members are encouraged to report any odour in the Osborne Park area to Pollution Watch online or via the Pollution Watch hotline: 1300 784 782.
More information
Show moreThe department will update this page as new information is available.
