Foul smell in south Rocko and Lakelands caused by C-Wise sludge cleaning & set to stay until late December

[Pelican Press 0]

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Foul smell in south Rocko and Lakelands caused by C-Wise sludge cleaning & set to stay until late December

The foul odour lingering around the Peel region is set to hang around for a while longer.

In recent weeks, residents’ complaints about odours in Mandurah’s north and Rockingham’s south have ramped up yet again.

These join the thousands of complaints about smells the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has received from residents throughout the year.

Earlier this year an investigation revealed organic carbon recycling company C-Wise, piggery CM Farms, and Mushroom Exchange — a compost manufacturing and soil blending company — were the source of ongoing odours in the area.

In March, the businesses received environmental protection notices which ordered them to rectify the issues.

Last week the DWER updated its dedicated

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webpage to say C-Wise would begin maintenance work from December 9 for about two weeks.

The work involves the removal of sludge from two ponds which could temporarily increase the risk of odour emissions from the site, the site read.

In October, DWER amended C-Wise’s licence requiring a plan for the storage, treatment and disposal of sludge from its liquid waste ponds.

It’s believed the work will reduce smells in the long term.

The licence for the Mushroom Exchange is due to expire in April 2026; C-Wise’s licence runs until April 2028; and CM Farms has until October 2029.

Sick of the stink

More than 440 people have joined the

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page Lakelands and Surrounds Stink.

In a month, more than 60 posts were shared by locals fed up with the smells.

complaints like the following are common: “In the 2½ years of complaining. We get advised that the stink pit have been cautioned and ordered to do things. But it never gets resolved. We still breathe in crap smells. We still have to keep windows doors shut and can’t run evaporative air **** with windows open. So suffer the inhumane heat at night trying to sleep can’t entertain because of the smell.”

Group admin and founder Wendy Munroe got creative with her protest and wrote a Christmas carol that began: “On the first day of Christmas the famous three gave to me… One wicked waft and a buuucket of ****.

She finished with: “On the 12th day of Christmas the famous three sent to me, 12 useless politicians, 11 packs of *****, 10 bags of s..t, nine dead birds, eight tonnes of bones, seven septic tanks, six guests a gagging, five rotting carcasses, four festering turds, three stinking stench, two putrid pongs, one wicked waft and a buuucket of ****.”

It’s gonna take time…

In its update, DWER acknowledged the impact on the community, and said it “continues to take the issue very seriously”.

“Odour issues can take some time to fully address, and the department is continuing to work to reduce any impacts being experienced by the community,” the update read.

Odours are encouraged to be reported when they occur by calling the Environment Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or via the

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#Foul #smell #south #Rocko #Lakelands #caused #CWise #sludge #cleaning #set #stay #late #December

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