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 was conducted in accordance with Chapter 7 of the Public Health Act 2005 by a ‘panel of inquiry’ (the Panel), chaired by specialist physician and Queensland’s former Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard. Dr Gerrard was joined on the Panel by Dr Lyn Denison, an expert in air quality as it relates to human health.

The Inquiry’s scope was to investigate the health effects of odour from the industrial areas and to recommend actions to mitigate the impacts.

Inquiry process

The inquiry will be undertaken in 3 key phases:

• stakeholder engagement and information gathering
• community consultation, and
• health outcome data analysis.

Final report

In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Panel provided a draft report to the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services by 30 May 2025 and the final report on 30 June 2025. The final report details the Panel’s findings, recommendations and other relevant matters.

Terms of reference

View the full terms of reference (PDF 135 kB).