Sneaky smell still sniffs of denial

Sniff up in the air – is it the sewerage ponds? Is it the meatworks? Is it farm fertiliser?

No, it’s a mystery. No-one has taken responsibility for the regularly complained-about stench at Longford, but on any given day, particularly a hot one, it’s over-powering for some residents.

People who live on the north-western side of town report suffering the most, as do visitors to who come from out of the area to do their shopping.

Some claim the smell permeates their car interior and is still there days later, others report having to shut their doors and windows on some days to keep the stench at bay.

However it’s been happening for so long, many people are resigned to the situation and warn those moving into the area “to get used to it”.

This apathy is borne out by the number of reports to the Environment Protection Authority.

It has received just eight odour complaints since July 1, 2024, with only one of those complaints being made in the first half of the financial year.

Meanwhile complaints on social media would be in the hundreds.

An EPA spokesperson told the Northern Courier seven complaints related to the Longford abattoir and rendering plant and one complaint related to the Longford TasWater wastewater treatment plant.

According to a TasWater spokesperson “the plant is working within its limits” so shouldn’t be creating any unusual smells.

TasFarmers CEO Ian Sauer said that at this time of year most farmers are harvesting, and some might be applying pre-autumn fertilizer in readiness for any rain that comes, however “it’s no different spreading fertiliser on your lawn – there really is barely an odour.

“The only time you might get some localised odour would be when dairy farms are spreading manure on the paddocks, but if it’s strong enough to be smelt in the Longford township, then it’s not from a farm – I can say that with confidence.”

Councillor Matthew Brooks believes the most likely source is the JBS abattoir in Tannery Rd.

He said it has a history of having problems dealing with waste from the meat processing facility, and assurances of improvement have not been followed through.

“It’s been ongoing for years, and I don’t think people should ‘have to get used to it’ in this day and age,” he said.

“The reason people don’t complain to the EPA anymore is because it is a toothless tiger and the complaints go nowhere.

“I believe the EPA needs to step up to the plate, it’s their job and the buck stops with them when it comes to investigating and policing issues relating to the environment that we have to live in.

“I feel sorry for the people who live and work near JBS, and I’m looking to set up a meeting with management, and it’s not the first, to find out what is going on.”

Requests by The Courier for JBS to comment on if there had been recent issues at the plant that would cause a foul odour had, at the time of printing, received no response.