An expert in urban planning has expressed concerns that the industrial zoning regulations in Victoria are outdated, leading to potential conflicts between facilities like Visy’s paper recycling plant in Reservoir and nearby residential areas. Residents have reported that the odors from the plant have made their homes uncomfortable, contributing to significant mental distress.
To mitigate the situation, Visy has implemented measures such as constructing taller ventilation stacks to help disperse the unpleasant water vapor more effectively. However, many local residents continue to voice their frustrations. Chris Wilkinson, a resident near the facility, describes instances when he arrives home and feels compelled to stay indoors. He noted, “I’ll come home from work and try to take a quick walk, but it hits you immediately.” Even with windows and doors closed, the odor still permeates his home.
The Wilkinson family has resided across from the Visy plant since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mr. Wilkinson characterized the odors as ranging from “a dry papery smell” to something reminiscent of “bacteria or fermenting yogurt.” He shared that during the lockdowns, the smell was relentless, often described as a form of torture due to its persistence.
Another local resident, who wished to remain anonymous and lives further from the plant, reported that she experiences respiratory issues related to the odors, which she encounters even at a considerable distance. “You can’t go outside, and I wouldn’t even want my dog to breathe it in,” she stated. “Sometimes the smell lingers from early morning until evening for days on end, impacting my mental well-being.”
Since its establishment in 1983, the Reservoir facility has processed over 800,000 tons of materials annually from both residential and commercial recycling sources in a water-intensive operation. The process involves heat and chemicals that produce sulfur compounds and volatile fatty acids, which contribute to the facility’s unpleasant odors.
According to Visy, while they have made significant progress in reducing odors, further efforts are still necessary. The company emphasizes that there is no straightforward solution and that finding the right combination of odor management strategies will require time. Despite repeated attempts to obtain comments from Visy, no response was received.
In December 2020, Visy initiated an odor control program aimed at minimizing the bacteria produced in its water system. The modifications, including the taller ventilation stacks and increased water vapor discharge velocity, were completed in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) by late October 2021. Yet, residents like Mr. Wilkinson and Freida argue that these changes have not sufficiently improved the situation, likening the efforts to temporary fixes rather than effective solutions.
Mr. Wilkinson believes that the recycling plant should be relocated, asserting that it is not suited for its current location. “They have admitted they can’t fix the problem,” he remarked, adding that residents were there long before the plant’s establishment.
Professor Carl Grodach from Monash University has indicated that the current zoning laws governing industrial operations are outdated and have not undergone a thorough review in years. He noted, “Victoria’s new ten-year industrial plan aims to expand industrial areas in the outer suburbs, neglecting inner and middle suburban conflicts.” He suggested that, like Visy’s glass recycling operations that were relocated from inner Brisbane, the plant in Reservoir should ultimately move to alleviate these conflicts.
Local state representative Nathan Lambert has been actively engaging with community members regarding the odors from the Visy facility, often conducting door-to-door visits. He acknowledged the mixed responses from residents, with some claiming they do not notice any issues while others report strong odors that impact their desire to remain in their homes. He conceded that, despite improvements from Visy and the EPA, many residents still suffer from unpleasant odors, particularly when warmer winds blow through the area, creating an unacceptable living situation.
Although Lambert noted that the state government has made significant revisions to Victoria’s industrial planning laws to hold companies accountable for pollution, he also pointed out that changes to planning laws are typically slow-moving. He remarked on the need for ongoing reform to address the circumstances faced by residents in north-west Reservoir.
