Compost facility puts odour up residents' noses

RESIDENTS in Norville's Edenbrook Estate are upset and fear their properties will be devalued if a compost facility gets the go ahead.

Kay McDuff Dr resident Craig Brooks said the waste site was too close to homes and sporting facilities.

He said residents didn't spend the last 25-30 years working to pay off their homes to live near a compost heap.

"They say it's organic - but you try leaving food in your fridge for three weeks and let it go off and see if you want to be near it," Mr Brooks said.

"It's not just the residents - there is the athletics grounds, school and pool which are all close by and will cop the smell."

Compost Works managing director Mike Harrison said he had done everything required in the application and although it had not been fully approved it was likely to get the green light.

Mr Harrison said there would be no smell from the facility and the compost would consist of garden waste and fresh fruit and vegetables which were market seconds.

He believed his business would not devalue the properties and said there was a block between the closest homes.

"I have worked in the industry for seven years and I know how to avoid the smell," he said.

"And there will be buffers up so passers-by won't even see us."

The 22ha property, currently being assessed by the Bundaberg Regional Council, is State Government owned land.

And the location was central to a 220 hectare High Impact Industry zoned area which straddles either side of the Ring Rd, and includes the established industrial areas around Charlie Triggs Cres.

The council's planning and development spokesman Ross Sommerfeld said the applicant had provided a detailed consultant's report covering the environmental aspects of the operation.

"The development proposal is currently in an information and referral stage of assessment and is with the Department of Infrastructure Local Government and Planning (DILGP) which assesses aspects of the proposal that relate to State Government interests," Cr Sommerfeld said.

The council was satisfied that the application met the assessment criteria required.

"It should be remembered the area has a High Impact Industry zoning. The area was formerly an abattoir and that activity could potentially still be operating there," Cr Sommerfeld said.