Background
Mindarie Regional Council (MRC) holds licence L9395/2023/1 under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) to operate a landfill and transfer station at the Tamala Park Waste Management Facility (Tamala Park landfill).
The Tamala Park landfill is immediately south of the suburb of Clarkson. The Catalina housing estate in Clarkson is about 150 metres north of the landfill boundary and about 530 metres from the active landfill area. The suburb of Kinross is to the south (580 metres from the active landfill) and Mindarie is to the north-west (720 metres from the active landfill).
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (the department) has received an elevated and on-going number of complaints from residences in Clarkson, Mindarie and Kinross. Most of the complaints relate to nuisance odours which are associated with the Tamala Park landfill.
The department acknowledges the community’s concerns and is committed to working with MRC to minimise odour emissions from the landfill.
In response to the complaints from residents in the vicinity, the department has carried out multiple inspections at the site to assess seasonal odour emission variation, and undertaken odour assessments in the local area. The department has engaged with MRC to require action to address odour emissions complaints from the surrounding community.
The department took regulatory enforcement action through the issuing of an Environmental Protection Notice (EPN) under the EP Act, requiring actions to mitigate odour and identify causes of odour generation from Tamala Park Landfill. MRC has requested approval to construct infrastructure to support mitigation of odour emissions from Tamala Park landfill.
Odour sentinel program
As a result of a meeting between the Tamala Park Odour Action Group, Mr Mark Folkard MLA and the department, an odour monitoring sentinel program supported by a group of community members was established and ran over the December 2024/January 2025 period with data collected on 31 January 2025. The Odour Diary Program comprised 28 volunteer participants affected by the odour in the surrounding area, of whom 7 participants submitted their odour diary forms to the department for review.
The data from these diaries were collated and may potentially be used as a baseline dataset for further programs and to inform further departmental investigations.
Identified causes of odour emissions
The department considers that the primary sources of current odour emissions are a combination of:
- uncontrolled landfill gas emissions to air which, in part, are a result of high ground leachate levels constraining the capacity and effectiveness of the landfill gas collection and management system.
- landfill leachate stored or mobilised at the site, in particular, a large leachate storage pond onsite which had become anaerobic was identified as a significant odour source. This pond has now been emptied and removed.
There are many complexities involved in mitigating the odours the community are currently experiencing, and we are working with MRC to achieve a positive outcome.
Actions undertake to address odour
Specific actions that have been undertaken or are currently being undertaken by MRC include:
- engaging an independent odour consultant to assist in identifying the specific source/s of the odour at the landfill and options to address it.
- engaging an independent environmental consultant to assess remedial actions relating to landfill gas and leachate.
- applying additional cover material across the landfill.
- installing additional landfill gas wells to increase collection capacity.
- optimising the landfill gas extraction system (370 wells) to ensure it is operating as effectively as possible.
- exploring improved short-and long-term leachate management options.
Environmental Protection Notice
As a result of the department’s investigations and engagement with MRC and the local community, on 28 November 2024, the department issued an Environmental Protection Notice (EPN) to MRC. EPN202405 (the EPN) was issued for the purpose of:
- preventing odour emissions that are impacting the sensitive receptors located to the north, south and northwest of the active landfill face of the Premises; and
- for identifying the extent and character of potential groundwater impacts associated with the known plume of leachate from landfilling practiced at the Premises.
The EPN required MRC to:
- Develop a plan to manage the significant leachate volumes at the site. This plan must include details of the measures that will be taken to ensure leachate management does not cause odour impacts outside of the premises boundary and odour monitoring to ensure this is the case.
- Provide additional landfill cover over areas of leachate seepage to minimise odour emissions.
- Inspect the final landfill cap and temporary landfill cover across the site and identify and implement remedial measures to minimise uncontrolled landfill gas emissions.
- Review the existing landfill gas collection and management system to ensure it is working as effectively as possible to maximise the collection of landfill gas.
- Engage a suitable expert to undertake a comprehensive review of the adequacy of the landfill gas collection and management system and identify and implement any improvements necessary to prevent odour impacts outside of the landfill premises.
- Engage a suitable expert to carry out an updated groundwater risk assessment that considers the elevated leachate levels in the site and identifies any actions necessary to mitigate any increased risks to groundwater.
The EPN requirements were necessary short-term actions to: control the likelihood of emissions impacting the sensitive receptors, remove or mitigate odour sources, identify and characterise the existence of environmental harm (impacts to groundwater), and to allow the occupier to review and plan for medium to long-term process controls to mitigate odour generation in the future.
The department has completed an audit of the EPN following the submission of all reports and information addressing the requirements of EPN. The department considers that all the requirements of the EPN have now been met, however the department is receiving technical expert review of the technical reports submitted to satisfy the EPN and has requested further clarification of calculations and data used.
Works approval application submissions
Leachate tank farm W3073/2025/1
On 27 June 2025, the department received a works approval application from MRC for the construction of a leachate tank farm consisting of a concrete bunded area to house three (3) leachate storage tanks with a combined total capacity of 285 kL. Proposed works include the installation of pipework to receive leachate from around the landfill.
The application can be accessed on the department's website.
Southern piggyback landfill cell and leachate management area W3096/2025/1
On 28 July 2025, the department received a works approval application from MRC for the construction of a piggyback landfill cell and a leachate management area consisting of two lined leachate evaporation ponds and a stormwater infiltration pond.
Works approval applications received by the department must be advertised for public comment once they have been accepted and the required fees have been paid. The department must assess any valid application and will consider the risks associated with the application as well as any public comments received before making a determination on the application.
The application can be accessed on the department's website.
Submissions on both of the applications must be forwarded to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation before the 13 December 2025.
Submissions may be mailed to Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Locked Bag 10, Joondalup DC WA 6919 or emailed to info@dwer.wa.gov.au. Please quote the application number your comments relate to.
Reporting odours
The department sincerely acknowledges the ongoing efforts of community members in reporting odour impacts. We understand that repeated reporting can be tiring, and the department appreciate deeply the continued commitment to sharing this information. Your reports play a vital role in helping the department respond effectively and work toward lasting solutions.
Community members and residents are reminded that it is important to report odours at the time that they occur by calling the Environment WAtch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or by lodging a complaint via the online reporting tool. Accurate reports that include information on the time and duration of the odour, and a description of the character of the odour and how it is impacting you will provide valuable assistance for our investigations.
Residents are also encouraged to contact MRC on (08) 9306 6303, as licence conditions require MRC to record, investigate and action complaints received at the landfill concerning any environmental impacts.
Department of Health advice
The department has liaised with the Department of Health in relation to the odour emissions and it has confirmed that the odour from the Tamala Park landfill is not hazardous to human health. The department is continuing to work with the Department of Health to provide further understanding and community guidance on the amenity issues. However, if you have concerns about your health or your family’s health, please discuss these with your GP.
Other matters
While the department is focused on resolving the odour issues in the community, we are aware that there are also concerns in the community relating to the impacts on groundwater from landfill leachate, the risks associated with landfill gas migration, and the timing of landfill closure.
The department is working with MRC and its consultants on these matters. In relation to impacts to groundwater and the potential for landfill gas migration, the department is reviewing the latest monitoring and assessments of the contamination levels of former landfill cells. This is to determine whether the site remains appropriately classified under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003.
Submit a report to Environment WAtch
Show moreWhen you submit a report to Environment WAtch, you will receive a response from us acknowledging your submission. We may contact you for further information.
Not all matters reported to Environment WAtch are managed by the department. For reports that relate to another local government or other State or Australian Government agency, we will forward the report to the relevant authority. Please note you may remain anonymous.
You can call our Environment WAtch hotline on 1300 784 782 or use the form below to submit your report.
Print this page
