Blaxland Waste Management Facility - Odour Log

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This consultation has concluded.

The online odour log survey has now been closed. You can view the results in the Detailed Report of Blaxland Waste management Facility - Consultation document.

You can view the environmental reporting data for Blaxland and Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facilities here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/resource-recovery-and-waste-management-facilities/environmental-reporting-data


At the Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2021, it was resolved:

1. That the Council notes the findings and recommendations in the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Field Ambient Odour Study.

2. That the Council notes the findings of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Compliance Noise Monitoring report.

3. That the Council notes the conclusions of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility targeted planning review.

4. That the Council notes the submission of the Odour Reduction Action Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency on 28 May 2021 as required by the Pollution Reduction Program License Condition.

5. That the Council notes that the required service changes will commence in July 2021, with at least 2 weeks’ notice to be provided to customers and contractors.

6. That the Council communicates the findings of the odour study and noise monitoring report and outlines the actions the Council is taking to mitigate the

generation of odour and noise to stakeholders.

7. That the Council receives a further report on the outcomes of the License Variation requests to the Environmental Protection Agency, and

8. That the Council receives a report to the early part of the new term of the new Council that includes all options for future planning for the finite life of the

Blaxland landfill and that this report includes timelines, ways of mitigating costs to ratepayers, and the introduction of full organics.


At the Ordinary Council meeting on 24 November 2020, it was resolved:

“That the Council calls the Environment Protection Authority in to investigate the odour issues at Blaxland Waste Management Facility as a matter of urgency and to provide advice on the immediate resolution of same, including guidance as to the future management of the site.”

We have since written to and met with representatives from the NSW EPA and agreed on a process to address the odour issue. This includes engaging a suitably qualified person to identify all potential sources of odour and management strategies to redress the issues and prepare a report for the EPA.

We also sought the neighbouring community’s support with this odour assessment. We established this “Online Odour Log” for neighbours to record details of odour incidents. These reports are helping the independent odour specialist prepare the report to the EPA.


Community briefing sessions

Neighbours of the BWMF were invited to attend two community meetings held during May 2021, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and to provide feedback.

Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan

Location: Meeting room 1, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

Date and time: Wednesday 19 May at 14:30.

Venue capacity: 30

Please register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/blaxland-rrwm-facility-odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-tickets-154179263327

The meeting provides an opportunity for interested residents to be briefed, in person, on the report and action plan.

The briefing will be provided directly by the odour consultant. Council staff will then present the proposed action plan and time frame for implementation. Residents will have the opportunity to ask both the consultant and Council staff questions.


Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan Feedback session

Location: Community Dining Room, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

Date and time: Wednesday 26 May at 14:30.

Venue capacity: 15

Please register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-feedback-session-tickets-154665652129

The meeting provides an opportunity for interested residents to provide feedback prior to the Council Meeting - to be held on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.


Residents also have the option to register and speak on the topic at the June Council Meeting, at which time the odour report will be an agenda item. The Council meeting details are below:

Title: Ordinary Meeting of Council

Location: Council Chambers, Civic Place, Katoomba

Date and time: Tuesday 29 June at 19:30

Registrations to address the meeting close: Tuesday 29 June at 19:20

Alternatively you can register online by completing and returning the ‘Registration Form for Addressing Council’. This form can be found by visiting bmcc.nsw.gov.au/council-meetings.


Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the waste facility. The Blaxland Waste Management Facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.


The online odour log survey has now been closed. You can view the results in the Detailed Report of Blaxland Waste management Facility - Consultation document.

You can view the environmental reporting data for Blaxland and Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facilities here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/resource-recovery-and-waste-management-facilities/environmental-reporting-data


At the Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2021, it was resolved:

1. That the Council notes the findings and recommendations in the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Field Ambient Odour Study.

2. That the Council notes the findings of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility Compliance Noise Monitoring report.

3. That the Council notes the conclusions of the Blaxland Resource Recovery & Waste Management Facility targeted planning review.

4. That the Council notes the submission of the Odour Reduction Action Plan to the Environmental Protection Agency on 28 May 2021 as required by the Pollution Reduction Program License Condition.

5. That the Council notes that the required service changes will commence in July 2021, with at least 2 weeks’ notice to be provided to customers and contractors.

6. That the Council communicates the findings of the odour study and noise monitoring report and outlines the actions the Council is taking to mitigate the

generation of odour and noise to stakeholders.

7. That the Council receives a further report on the outcomes of the License Variation requests to the Environmental Protection Agency, and

8. That the Council receives a report to the early part of the new term of the new Council that includes all options for future planning for the finite life of the

Blaxland landfill and that this report includes timelines, ways of mitigating costs to ratepayers, and the introduction of full organics.


At the Ordinary Council meeting on 24 November 2020, it was resolved:

“That the Council calls the Environment Protection Authority in to investigate the odour issues at Blaxland Waste Management Facility as a matter of urgency and to provide advice on the immediate resolution of same, including guidance as to the future management of the site.”

We have since written to and met with representatives from the NSW EPA and agreed on a process to address the odour issue. This includes engaging a suitably qualified person to identify all potential sources of odour and management strategies to redress the issues and prepare a report for the EPA.

We also sought the neighbouring community’s support with this odour assessment. We established this “Online Odour Log” for neighbours to record details of odour incidents. These reports are helping the independent odour specialist prepare the report to the EPA.


Community briefing sessions

Neighbours of the BWMF were invited to attend two community meetings held during May 2021, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and to provide feedback.

Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan

Location: Meeting room 1, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

Date and time: Wednesday 19 May at 14:30.

Venue capacity: 30

Please register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/blaxland-rrwm-facility-odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-tickets-154179263327

The meeting provides an opportunity for interested residents to be briefed, in person, on the report and action plan.

The briefing will be provided directly by the odour consultant. Council staff will then present the proposed action plan and time frame for implementation. Residents will have the opportunity to ask both the consultant and Council staff questions.


Title: Odour Report Outcomes and Draft Action Plan Feedback session

Location: Community Dining Room, Blue Mountains Theatre & Community Hub, Springwood

Date and time: Wednesday 26 May at 14:30.

Venue capacity: 15

Please register for this event at: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/odour-report-outcomes-and-draft-action-plan-feedback-session-tickets-154665652129

The meeting provides an opportunity for interested residents to provide feedback prior to the Council Meeting - to be held on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.


Residents also have the option to register and speak on the topic at the June Council Meeting, at which time the odour report will be an agenda item. The Council meeting details are below:

Title: Ordinary Meeting of Council

Location: Council Chambers, Civic Place, Katoomba

Date and time: Tuesday 29 June at 19:30

Registrations to address the meeting close: Tuesday 29 June at 19:20

Alternatively you can register online by completing and returning the ‘Registration Form for Addressing Council’. This form can be found by visiting bmcc.nsw.gov.au/council-meetings.


Blue Mountains City Council is committed to being a good neighbour and addressing any issues that arise at the waste facility. The Blaxland Waste Management Facility provides the community with convenient access to waste disposal, recycling and re-use, local employment, lower cost waste disposal, reduced truck movements across the mountains and flexibility to provide tailored service levels to meet community needs.