Swanbank Public Health Inquiry
On 9 January 2025, the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services the Honourable Tim Nicholls announced an inquiry into the odour issues at the Swanbank and New Chum Industrial Estate, following concerns raised by the community.
The inquiry will investigate potential health effects of odours from the industrial estate and recommend actions that may be taken to mitigate any health-related impacts on local communities.
Public consultation has been held with residents to understand their experiences and the impact of odour issues on the community.
Any relevant health-related evidence from 2016 to now will be included in the inquiry, to help account for historical and current complaints regarding health concerns from community members living near the industrial estates.
Inquiry process
The inquiry will be undertaken in 3 key phases:
- stakeholder engagement and information gathering
- community consultation, and
- health outcome data analysis.
Update from the inquiry team
The stakeholder engagement and information gathering phase is nearing completion. This has included visits to various industries within the industrial estates.
The community consultation phase is now complete and has included individual meetings with affected residents, shopping centre pop-up visits, market research interviewing 400 local residents and accepting community submissions.
The health outcome data analysis phase is currently underway, and the panel is on track to deliver a final report to the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services by 30 June 2025.
Panel members visiting Air monitoring station in Ripley with representative from DETSI
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding in discussion with Panel Chair Dr John Gerrard
Shopping centre pop-up visit in Redbank Plaza
Shopping centre pop-up visit in Ripley Town Square
Panel members visiting industry at Swanbank Industrial Estate
Terms of reference
View the full terms of reference (PDF 135 kB).
Feedback is important to understand the experiences of community members and the impact of the odour from the Swanbank and New Chum Industrial Estates on their day-to-day lives.
For more information, email PublicHealthInquiry_Swanbank@health.qld.gov.au
Panel members
The Panel is comprised of:
- Dr John Gerrard, Former Queensland Chief Health Officer, Chairperson [appointed 6 January 2025]
- Dr Lyn Denison, Director LD Environmental [appointed 28 January 2025]