Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER residents have petitioned the council about smells and noises from a waste transfer station on Collier Road.

Residents living in Shalford Street 150m behind the station have lost patience with Transpacific Cleanaway, which manages the plant.

Lead petitioner Kevin Buckley wants a 5m concrete wall built at the rear of the site to block noises and smells.

“When the wind carries the smell it’s like putting a bin beside your bedroom window,” he says.

“These problems have been on-going for years: for a while it got better and the rear doors were closed on the facility, but recently new management has taken over and the doors have been left open causing the smell to drift over.

“The lease on the plant is up for renewal soon and I want Bayswater council to put strict conditions on any new agreement.”

Transpacific manager Paul Tomkinson says it erected a 2.1m high fence to address residents’ concerns.

“I can assure you that not only do we operate within all prescribed limits for noise and odour, we also go above and beyond to ensure we minimise impacts for nearby residents,” he says.

“Just as we have in the past, we are confident that we will continue to meet all licensing requirements and will continue to cooperate with all parties to ensure any concerns are appropriately addressed.

“We have been managing recyclables and waste from the site for approximately 25 years and work closely with council.”

Local Labor MP Lisa Baker wants strict conditions put on any new lease.

“In the past two years, agreements Cleanaway took on to keep rear doors closed and loading to the front of the premises have dropped off, and residents have noticed an increase in uncomfortable noise,” she says.

“In my opinion, the residents’ requests are reasonable, and would not unnecessarily curtail the facility’s operation.

“The environment minister has acknowledged complaints of noise and smell coming from the facilities, but as yet has failed to act to enforce Cleanaway’s licence regulations which stipulate that noise and smell should not affect the comfort of people offsite.”

The issue will come before council later this month.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK