Mandurah area odours (Nambeelup)

Background

Throughout 2024 and 2025 to date, the department has received a high volume of odour complaints from residents in Secret Harbour, Mandurah, Singleton and Lakelands. Field investigations identified several businesses in Nambeelup as potential sources of these emissions.

Three licensed premises in Nambeelup operate under the Environmental Protection Act and are required to manage odour emissions:

• C-Wise (L8410/2009/2) Liquid waste, compost manufacturing, and soil blending.
• CM Farms (L6932/1988/11) Intensive piggery (licence expires 26 Oct 2029).
• Mushroom Exchange (L7210/1997/10), Compost manufacturing and soil blending (licence expires 27 Apr 2026).

Following investigations, the department issued Environmental Protection Notices (EPNs) on 22 February 2024 to:

• WA Composts Pty Ltd (C-Wise) – C-Wise EPN (now completed and revoked).
• Derby Industries Pty Ltd (CM Farms) – CM Farms EPN.

Odour and wastewater experts were engaged by the department to support ongoing assessments and to recommend actions to reduce emissions.

On 25 October 2024, C-Wise’s licence was amended by the department to introduce stricter odour control conditions, including a requirement to develop a sludge management plan addressing odour, leachate, and PFAS compliance. The updated licence now expires on 22 April 2028.

Current situation

The department acknowledges the ongoing odour impacts on the community and remains committed to resolving the issue.

In late 2024, the department again engaged an odour expert to assist in assessing and better understand the odour emissions and to inform further operational improvements.

In 2025, additional odour surveys based on community complaints have been conducted to assist the odour expert in his assessment.

The department is currently engaging with the Nambeelup operators on the findings of our investigations and expert assessments and determining whether further regulatory actions are required to mitigate odour emissions from the precinct.

The department acknowledges the duration of the investigations to date, however given the multiple odour sources the issue is very complex and can take time to fully address.

The department is grateful for the community reporting the ongoing odour impacts which greatly assists in the investigation and identification of odour sources. The department acknowledges that some community members may be tiring of informing the department of the odour, however this information is crucial to understanding the impact any changes to operations on the sites may be having on community amenity.

Community members and residents are reminded that it is important to report odour impacts at the time odour is occurring by calling the Environment WAtch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or using the online reporting tool. Please be as specific as you can when describing the odour and the impact it is having on you. 

If you are concerned about your health, please see your doctor or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to discuss your symptoms.

Working together

We recognise and respect the right of individuals to express their views, however, we ask that the community respects the safety of our staff, contractors and visitors while we work to resolve these odour issues.    We appreciate the community’s cooperation in maintaining a safe and constructive environment for everyone.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. If you have any questions relating to this issue, please call the Environment WAtch Hotline on 1300 784 782.