In response to the recent ongoing odour issue impacting residents in Tumut and Gilmore, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a prevention notice and is requiring Tumut Waste Pty Ltd to restrict the volume and types of waste that can be accepted at its Bellettes Landfill.
The EPA has been working with the licensee since 19 July 2023 to implement immediate mitigation measures and now has strict conditions in place to reduce odours.
NSW EPA Executive Director Operations Steve Orr said measures being put in place to counter the odour include covering waste and pumping out and treating leachate. Leachate is the liquid that flows through waste, usually found in landfills.
"By reducing the amount of waste allowed at the facility, and placing restrictions on where waste can be distributed, the odours should continue to significantly subside," Mr Orr said.
"Management of waste impacted water will be closely monitored moving forward, with it going to a sealed leachate dam that has been designed to hold and treat the liquid.
"In addition to daily inspections at the site, the EPA currently has 10 gas monitors installed throughout the community. The results from this gas monitoring are publicly available on the EPA's website."
The EPA has also varied Tumut Waste's environment protection licence for the Bellettes Landfill to require a landfill gas risk assessment which will inform the gas capture system that must be installed at the premises.
Mr Orr said odours have been described as a hydrogen sulphide/rotten egg smell and have generated more than 90 complaints to the EPA since late June.
People can detect hydrogen sulphide at low concentrations due to its distinct smell. Smelling hydrogen sulphide does not mean that it will harm your health. The smell can cause worry and anxiety. Repeated exposure to odour may result in symptoms such as headache, fatigue and nausea. The effects are likely to be minor and temporary and should stop once the air quality improves.
Exposure to elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulphide may cause irritation to the eyes, nose or throat, and difficulties in breathing in people with asthma. Anyone concerned about their symptoms should consult their doctor.
"We would like to thank the community for their patience while this odour has been identified and measures planned to counter the issue," Mr Orr said.
"We will continue to work with Snowy Valleys Council and other NSW Government agencies to ensure all required works are completed at the premises, that the new conditions are being complied with and will keep the community updated."
The EPA will continue its investigations before considering potential regulatory action.
