Wednesday, 3 June 2026


Members statements

Visy Reservoir


Nathan LAMBERT

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Visy Reservoir

 Nathan LAMBERT (Preston) (10:07): We have been out doorknocking homes near the Visy recycling plant on Radford Road, and I would just like to put on the record a few further points about the odour issue affecting some residents up there. The first is that Visy have made significant changes to that plant in response to residents’ complaints and action by our government’s Environment Protection Authority. You can see the extended stacks on top of the plant. You can go inside and see the changes to ventilation systems, the bacteria control, the recycled water and so forth, and most residents do agree that things have improved. But a second very important point is that just because things have improved does not mean Visy is absolved from its continuing obligations under our Environment Protection Act 2017. There is still a smell there. I have smelt it myself. Admittedly, different residents have different levels of sensitivity to that smell. Some people do not think it is a problem but some people still think it is, and everyone has a right to enjoy their home free from offensive odours. So I thank the minister and the great team at the EPA for their continued attention to this issue. I understand that EPA scientists were down there very recently having some further conversations. Visy are a very large, very wealthy organisation, and we certainly look forward to some further action taken by them to ensure that we have fresh and unpolluted air across that part of Reservoir.