Odour Pollution, Kanmantoo

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (14:31): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services representing the Minister for Environment and Water about odour pollution at Kanmantoo.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL: There is a foul smell hanging over the Adelaide Hills communities of Kanmantoo and Callington, which according to residents emanates from the Neutrog plant whose operation produces fertiliser from chicken manure. Residents have told me that over the last 18 months or so this company has doubled its production, which has resulted in the sickening stench pervading their town on a near daily basis.

I understand that the Environment Protection Authority is currently investigating this; however, I am told it is not a new problem. At a personal level, I worked on this issue more than 20 years ago when I was at the Environmental Defenders Office. So it is a longstanding, smelly problem. My question of the minister is: given that this is not a new issue, is the government aware of the community concerns and, if so, what is the minister doing to protect residents from being subjected to another summer of being shut up indoors to avoid the putrid smell?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:32): I thank the honourable member for his question. I would be surprised if the Environment Protection Authority wasn't aware of this particular matter. I think it was in today's newspaper and I am sure the good officers of the EPA have been working on these issues. But I will take those questions on notice and bring back a response for the honourable member.