Shale oil plant report raises health concerns An independent health review of the Stuart Shale Oil plant near Gladstone in central Queensland has found odour emissions from the plant are a major contributor to the stress and wellbeing of some nearby residents.
The Minister for State Development, Tom Barton, says the effects are not life threatening, and action will be taken by the Government and Southern Pacific Petroleum to address the emissions.
Mr Barton says the odour emissions were not found to cause major health impacts such as cancer.
"But it certainly does indicate there is a possibility that some people will suffer what's referred to as a lack of amenity," he said.
"That means they will suffer some level of distress as a result of odours or other issues regarding the plant, but they will not have an overall bad effect on their health."
The Member for Gladstone, Liz Cunningham, says it is irrelevant whether the health effects as a result of odour emissions are life threatening.
Mrs Cunningham says any health impacts are concerning.
"Any industry that establishes in this area or anywhere else in the state should be required to ensure that at the point of discharge, nothing is emitted that would effect a person's health - short-term or long-term," she said.
"That's the goal the community would expect."
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