A recycling centre with massive stockpiles of tyres west of Brisbane is exposing local residents to significant fire and health risks, a community group says.
Chip Tyre at New Chum was fined almost $14,000 in December last year by the Department of Environment and Science (DES), after it failed to comply with an order to reduce the number of tyres on site to minimise its fire risk.
Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE) president Jim Dodrill said the business was putting the nearby Redbank Plains community at risk.
"Our main concern is that if those stockpiles catch fire, the potential for a very large catastrophe is significant," Mr Dodrill said.
"We're concerned that both the state government and Ipswich City Council don't have a disaster management plan in place for this facility because they just think that it won't happen.
"There is a real potential there because if we do get a bushfire, for example, and that ignites this stockpile of tyres, then we're going to have whole suburbs blanketed in toxic smoke."
Mr Dodrill accused council of neglecting residents' concerns.
"The council has been asleep at the wheel on this particular issue," he said.
"They knew about this since before they were elected, they promised they would do something about it and they've done nothing as far as we know.
"They haven't even been out there to have a look themselves, despite all the emails and communication we've had with them.
"They just seem completely disinterested in this."
Community wellbeing a priority, council says
Local councillor Andrew Fechner said he had met with several community members to discuss Chip Tyre.
"Council treats all matters relating to potential pollution, environmental damage and the general health and wellbeing of its residents very seriously," Cr Fechner said.
"In September, I also wrote to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) commissioner to raise the concerns of residents regarding the alleged stockpiling of tyre chip and potential risk of fire at Chip Tyre."
He said if any member of the public had concerns about such industries they could contact council or DES.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee chair Mayor Teresa Harding said the community complaints had been investigated, resulting in multiple show cause notices being issued to the company.
Chip Tyre working closely with authorities
Chip Tyre said in a statement it was liaising with DES and the QFES to ensure its site remained a low fire risk.
"Chip Tyre take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously, which we ensure through best practice-based policies and practices," the company said.
"Chip Tyre have comprehensively considered the impact and protection of the local environment and community in our safety and environmental procedures.
"We remain engaged with the local community to hear concerns. The environment, health and wellbeing of the local community has informed every decision the organisation has made over the last 20 years, resulting in a very strong track record.
"We will continue to safeguard local community interests in the years ahead."
A QFES spokesperson said it worked closely with businesses to ensure community safety was maintained.
"QFES is aware of public concerns regarding the stockpiling of tyres at a business in New Chum and is working with the owner of this site to mitigate potential fire risks," they said.
"QFES undertakes regular safety inspections of sites that have large tyre stocks onsite to ensure that owners and occupiers meet their legislative requirements to provide an appropriate level of community safety."
A DES spokesperson noted the organisation was continuing to inspect the Chip Tyre plant, with the most recent visit occurring in August.
"As the environmental regulator, DES takes compliance issues seriously. That's why our departmental officers respond swiftly to monitor and investigate any breaches of EAs or environmental incidents," they said.
"DES will take strong action, including court prosecutions, where businesses contravene their environmental obligations."
Residents concerns fall on deaf ears
Mr Dodrill said regulators had not gone far enough in mitigating risks and needed to take further action to bring the business into line.
"It's frustrating because if this place does go up in flames, it's going to affect people's health," he said.
"It's going to affect their lifestyles, and it may affect their property values and that's just not good enough.
"We're saying eliminate the problem before it happens.
"Don't allow it to happen and then try to do something about it. Get in beforehand."
