Background
The Mindarie Regional Council (Licence Holder; MRC) holds licence L9395/2023/1 (formerly licence L6963/1997/14) under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) for the Tamala Park Waste Management Facility (TPWMF). The licence is held for the following prescribed premises categories as defined in Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987:
- Category 12: Screening, etc. of material
- Category 57: Used tyre storage (general)
- Category 61: Liquid waste facility
- Category 61A: Solid waste facility
- Category 62: Solid waste depot
- Category 64: Class II or III putrescible landfill site
- Category 77: Concrete batching or cement products manufacturing.
The TPWMF primarily services the member councils and public with a refuse disposal service (landfill), a recycling centre with a reuse shop, a transfer station for general waste drop-off and a receival area for recyclables, household hazardous waste and electronic waste (e-waste).
The landfill is immediately south of the suburb of Clarkson. The Catalina housing estate, in Clarkson, is about 150 metres north of the landfill boundary and about 530 metres from the active landfill area. The suburb of Kinross is to the south (580 metres from the active landfill) and Mindarie is to the north-west (720 metres from the active landfill).
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) is aware of an increased number of complaints from residences in Clarkson, Mindarie and Kinross. Most of the complaints relate to nuisance odours which may be related to the landfill operations at the TPWMF.
What is happening now?
The department is working with MRC on strategies to reduce unreasonable odour emissions from the Tamala Park premises. MRC has developed a Critical Infrastructure Plan (CIP) which includes options to investigate, manage and minimise odour emissions. MRC have advised the department that the council has approved the CIP for implementation.
The department's officers continue to conduct odour patrols of the area and are analysing the data from the information received from the community to inform its response to this matter. The patrols are being undertaken to provide information to inform the department’s actions. The department recently met with MRC to discuss their progress on the improvements that were suggested in 2023, and to understand the current actions they are taking to mitigate odours and provide information to the community.
Community members and residents are reminded that it is important to report odours at the time that they occur by calling the Environment Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or by lodging a complaint via the online reporting tool. Accurate reports that include information on the time and duration of the odour, description of the character of the odour, and description of how the odour is impacting you provide valuable assistance for our investigation of the odour source.
Residents are also encouraged to contact MRC on (08) 9306 6303 as licence conditions require MRC to record, investigate and action complaints received at the landfill concerning any environmental impacts.
