2184Response_OM13_222

Mr David Milligan, W Donald Milligan Pty Ltd                                   29 November 2013
Re: Response to Sunshine Coast Regional Further Information Request of 19 November 2013 – Noise,
      Dust & Odour Issues - Proposed Poultry Growing Sheds, Ridgewood
                                                                               L26013/BH/12-002



4.    Provide a response to the assertion from Pacific Environment that with regard to the flux
      chamber method, recent research including Parker et. al (2009) and Hudson & Ayoko
      (2008) have both concluded that for gas phase controlled odorants, the use of the flux
      chamber can under predict emissions. The emission rate reported in the Golder report
      was 350 ou/m2/min (5.8 ou/m2/sec). The aged stockpile OER was reported as on
      average 3,200 ou/m2/min (53 ou/m2/sec) which is ten times higher than that used for
      the modelling for the stockpiles.

The poultry litter stockpiles measured at Queensland Organics for the purpose of the
Narangba Industrial Estate Health Risk Assessment were for both ‘fresh litter
stockpiles’ and ‘aged litter stockpiles’. The ‘aged litter stockpile’ odour emissions are
not expected to be relevant to the mechanically turned windrow system proposed to
be operated at the subject site. The aged litter stockpiles would have been stagnant
bulk stockpiles stored for an extended period without turning, resulting in anaerobic
conditions which significantly increase odour emission rates.

The proposed operation involves mechanical turning using a compost turning
machine on an approximate weekly basis. This mechanical turning procedure allows
sufficiently aerobic conditions to be maintained which reduces odour emission rates.
For this reason, the ‘fresh litter stockpiles’ odour emission rate of 350 OU/m2/minute
measured for the Queensland Health Study was considered to be most applicable.
MWA Environmental also notes that for the two ‘aged litter stockpile’ samples taken
for the Queensland Health study, odour emission rates measured at 3200
OU/m2/minute and 580 OU/m2/minute. Thus, average odour emission rates from the
‘aged litter stockpiles’ were not actually ten times higher than the ‘fresh litter’ sample
emission rate considered appropriate and modelled by MWA Environmental.

MWA Environmental has compared the adopted litter composting odour emission
rate of 350 OU/m2/minute (5.8 OU/m2/second) to published odour emission rates
from other composting facilities, as follows:

     MWA Environmental Adopted:                        5.8 OU/m2/second
     Effective Peak SOER from Litter in Shed1: 11            OU/m2/second under forced
                                                             ventilation   conditions  and
                                                             including bird odour - no flux
                                                             hood sampling issues
     Woy Woy Report (URS)2:                            1.25 OU/m2/second for composting
                                                            windrows
     Woy Woy Report (URS):                             4.5 OU/m2/second for mature compost
                                                            as measured by wind tunnel




1
  23800 / 2080 = 11 based upon peak 23800 OU/s from largest shed with litter surface area of
       2
2080m , also includes bird odour
2
  Woy Woy Waste Management Facility Air Quality Impact Assessment (URS, August 2007)
referencing measurements of covered windrows published in “Kühner M, Fischer IK, (1999)
Composting with Covers as an alternative to conventional (traditional) decomposting of organic
matter in 75th Colloquium of Waste – Practical Report 25.03.1999”


                                                 5