Cement Plant Ordered to Shut Down on Weekends Following Munster Odour Complaints
Cockburn Cement has been directed to completely halt operations over the Easter weekend, responding to ongoing grievances from local residents regarding what they describe as an unreasonable and pervasive stink. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation issued a new prevention notice this week, mandating the cessation of odour-causing shell sand activities at the Munster plant on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
New Weekend Restrictions Implemented
Additional restrictions will be enforced every weekend from 12pm Saturday to 8pm Sunday, a decision influenced by 114 public submissions highlighting concerns that the odour is intensifying and becoming more problematic. The company's application for a five-year licence extension has been denied, with regulators granting only a one-year extension. A key condition of this limited extension requires Cockburn Cement to install a regenerative thermal oxidiser by August to address the odour issues.
Political and Community Response
Local Labor MP David Scaife expressed support for the shutdown measures, stating, "This isn't a full or permanent fix, but it imposes real limits and pressure on the plant." He committed to monitoring compliance throughout April and providing updates on the thermal oxidiser trial later in the year. Cockburn mayor Logan Howlett echoed community concerns, noting that unresolved issues persist with current odour reduction methods, underscoring the need for more effective solutions.
Company's Position and Historical Context
Cockburn Cement argued that a longer licence extension was necessary to secure financial investments for mitigating the odour problem. In a DWER report, the company acknowledged the one-year extension but emphasised that a five-year term would have enabled more certain and focused delivery of their odour reduction plan. This is not the first time the plant has faced regulatory action; it was previously fined $245,000 in 2023 for breaching the Environmental Protection Act, following claims that unreasonable smells could be detected up to eight kilometres away.
Resident Testimonies Highlight Severity
Yangebup resident Frank Van Wees provided testimony to the Supreme Court, describing the odour as horrendous and extremely unpleasant, with an intensity rating of eight or nine out of ten. His account reflects the broader community frustration and the significant impact of the plant's emissions on local quality of life, driving the push for stricter environmental controls and ongoing oversight.
