Background
Mindarie Regional Council (Licence Holder; MRC) holds licence L9395/2023/1 under Pt V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) for the Tamala Park Waste Management Facility (Tamala Park).
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 receiving 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 Tamala Park.
Odour emission management update
The department acknowledges the community’s concerns and is committed to working with MRC to minimise the impacts currently being experienced.
In response to the community’s complaints, the department has carried out multiple inspections of the site, undertaken odour assessments in the local community and also carried out specialist technical assessments to more accurately identify the sources of odour on the premises. The department considers that the primary sources of current odour emissions are:
- landfill leachate stored in ponds at the site as well as leachate seepage occurring across the landfill
- uncontrolled landfill gas emissions to air which, in part, are a result of high ground leachate levels constraining the capacity and effectiveness of the landfill gas collection and management system.
There are many complexities involved in mitigating the odours the community are currently experiencing, and we are working with MRC to achieve a positive outcome.
Specific actions that have been undertaken or are currently being undertaken by MRC include:
- engaging an independent odour consultant to assist in identifying the source of the odour and options to address it
- engaging an independent environmental consultant to assess remedial actions relating to landfill gas and leachate
- applying additional cover material across the landfill
- installing additional landfill gas wells to increase collection capacity
- optimising the landfill gas extraction system (370 wells) to ensure it is operating as effectively as possible
- exploring improved short- and long-term leachate management options.
The department recently met with the community representatives from the Tamala Park Odour Action Group together with Mr Mark Folkard MLA to discuss the work being undertaken by the department and MRC to mitigate odours. As a result of that meeting the department will continue to work with the action group to establish community odour sentinels. This will ensure the department can more accurately understand whether actions being undertaken on the landfill are improving odour impacts in the community.
The department has liaised with the Department of Health in relation to the odour emissions and it has confirmed that the odour from the Tamala Park landfill is not hazardous to human health. The department is continuing to work with the Department of Health to provide further understanding and community guidance on the amenity issues. However, if you have concerns about your health or your family’s health, please discuss these with your GP.
Environmental Protection Notice
As a result of the department’s investigations and engagement with MRC and the local community, on 28 November 2024, the department issued an Environmental Protection Notice (EPN) to MRC.
The EPN was issued to ensure MRC addresses the odour emissions from the Tamala Park premises and the impact they are having on the community and investigates any increased risks to groundwater caused by elevated leachate levels in the landfill site.
The EPN requires MRC to:
- Develop a plan to manage the significant leachate volumes at the site. This plan must include details of the measures that will be taken to ensure leachate management does not cause odour impacts outside of the premises boundary and odour monitoring to ensure this is the case.
- Provide additional landfill cover over areas of leachate seepage to minimise odour emissions.
- Inspect the final landfill cap and temporary landfill cover across the site, and identify and implement remedial measures to minimise uncontrolled landfill gas emissions.
- Review the existing landfill gas collection and management system to ensure it is working as effectively as possible to maximise the collection of landfill gas.
- Engage a suitable expert to undertake a comprehensive review of the adequacy of the landfill gas collection and management system and identify and implement any improvements necessary to prevent odour impacts outside of the landfill premises.
- Engage a suitable expert to carry out an updated groundwater risk assessment that considers the elevated leachate levels in the site and identifies any actions necessary to mitigate any increased risks to groundwater.
The EPN also allows MRC to install and undertake a pilot-scale trial of a leachate treatment plant. The outcomes of this trial will help inform the longer-term leachate management option of the landfill.
Reporting odours
The department is grateful for the ongoing community reporting of odour impacts.
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, and a description of the character of the odour and how it is impacting you provide valuable assistance for our investigations.
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.
Other matters
While the department is focused on resolving the odour issues in the community, we are aware that there are also concerns in the community relating to the impacts on groundwater from landfill leachate, the risks associated with landfill gas migration and the timing of the closure of the landfill.
The department is also working with MRC and its independent consultants on these matters. In relation to impacts to groundwater and the potential for landfill gas migration, the department is reviewing the latest monitoring and assessments of the contamination levels of former landfill cells. This is to determine whether the sites remain appropriately classified under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003.
