Plan on to ping pong

Abattoir invests to end stink

AFTER years of being put on “pong alert” Longford could soon be able to enjoy summer stench- free, with the owners of the local abattoir signing a deal with TasWater to invest millions to improve conditions.

Over many years residents have complained about the smell, the Northern Midlands Council has appealed to the Environment Protection Authority for something to be done and the local paper has printed a “pong alert” to rate how bad it is – particularly in summer.

But JBS Australia, which runs the meatworks at the northern entrance to the town, announced on Monday it had reached a sustainable long- term solution with TasWater and the Tasmanian Government to address the odour issues associated with the operation and the Longford Municipal Wastewater Treatment System.

Under the new Trade Waste Agreement, signed at the end of October, JBS will contribute $ 3.1m to support the upgrade of the TasWater Longford STP.

It will also invest $ 3.8m into the meatworks, installing new equipment to reduce odours and improve waste disposal. JBS is expected to complete and commission the on- site upgrades by April with TasWater upgrades expected to be commissioned in September next year.

Northern Midlands Council mayor Mary Knowles said the stench had been a huge issue for her community, especially on hot days, and it was wonderful all the lobbying had paid off.

“To have this being dealt with is great news. The meatworks employ a lot of people and are a great part of the community but it was important we had these issues mitigated,” she said.

A TasWater spokeswoman said the organisation was pleased to have reached an agreement on the issue with benefits including reduced odours, more sustainable environmental outcomes and promoting the local economy and jobs.

JBS Southern’s chief operating officer Sam McConnell said the investment would ensure the company could continue its successful meat operations while addressing the important longterm compliance issues the company, and the TasWater facility, have faced in the past.