Air quality in Moorooka, Salisbury: EGR factory makes premises sick

It has been four years since residents of Brisbane's Moorooka and Salisbury suburbs begin to complain of a stench coming from EGR, a plastic factory located on Evans Rd in Salisbury.

In 2014, the plant was forced to conduct an environmental investigation that eventually led to the transfer of part of its production to Darra, 14 kilometers southwest of downtown Brisbane.

But now, locals are again in arms, insisting that the smell of "cat p ** s" makes their children sick.

Yesterday, a hundred residents took to the streets to demonstrate against the factory, holding placards stating "Stop the Stink".

Local Liz O'Neill, who lives in Moorooka with his four children, was one of the protesters.

"The skin specialists after the skin experts said it was an exposure to something," O'Neill told 7 News.

"We're going to Caloundra for three weeks and everyone is perfect. We come back and all the symptoms come back. "

Ms. O'Neill has filed hundreds of complaints with Brisbane City Council since 2014 and has recently released photographs of her son Tim, inflamed and angry.

"We built this beautiful house specifically to catch the breeze and now this is happening," Ms. O'Neill said. City South News .

"I've had sinus problems, which have recently turned into pneumonia. My husband had a huge foot patch that took months to go. My daughter often wakes up with black around her mouth and eyes on fire. My eldest son has many mornings. can not open their eyes because they are flowing. "

Amanda Wall, spokesperson for the Salisbury Moorooka Noxious Smell Action Group (SMNOAG), was also at the event last weekend.

"People say it makes them throw up, it makes them feel sick, it gives them headaches, it makes breathing difficult. People are suffering from eczema, "she said.

"We have a high-impact industry that has been allowed to operate within one kilometer of homes and sensitive areas like children's gardens and schools."

Plant complaints are in the news every two or three years. This time, the stench hit the headlines after 11 different residents contacted Brisbane City Council in one day.

Queensland's Minister of Transport Mark Bailey said he was prepared to see EGR penalized for failing to comply with the law.

"It was a problem that had already arisen before, it is regrettable that it has broken out again and if any offenses are committed, I am very much in favor of the imposition of sanctions," said Mr. Bailey to the press.

"I look forward to the problem being resolved as quickly as possible, especially as Christmas approaches."

In a change.org petition launched by SMNOAG, the group urged Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk to commit to a review in the factory.

"One expects residents to breathe air causing symptoms such as asthma, vomiting, eczema and irritation of the eyes and intestines; or keep the windows and doors closed and their children inside for long periods, "reads the petition.

"The council and the state government have repeatedly failed residents by allowing planning decisions to be made on this site and are detrimental to well-being.

"Some residents report mental stress and are afraid of having to breathe the odor. In some cases, people have been forced to leave their homes until the smell disappears, to terminate their lease or to sell and move away. "

Attempts were made to contact EGR for comments.

Originally published as an Australian suburb and facing a foul odor