The worst stench in “20 years” is enraging Point Lonsdale residents, according to a local community representative.
“People who have been in touch with me are saying this is worst they’ve had,” said Rob Minty, president of Point Lonsdale Community Association.
“We can’t remember anything anywhere near as bad as this.”
Mr Minty had lived permanently at Point Lonsdale for four years and had owned a property there for 20.
But residents who had lived at the seaside town for 20 years or more told him the stench was the worst they had ever smelt, he said.
“We have had an overwhelming amount of complaints from residents arising from an acrid odour in Point Lonsdale, in particular, west of Fellows Rd.”
“The smell seems to be at its worst on Shell Rd between Point Blvd and Clows Ln.”
Geelong council officers identified vegetation decomposing due to a lack of rainfall at nearby Lake Victoria as the source of the stench.
But Mr Minty questioned if it had resulted entirely from natural causes.
He believed nearby developments could be affecting water flows in and out of Lake Victoria.
“None of it is finding its way out, so Lake Victoria can’t flush itself,” he said.
“During the last prolonged drought we occasionally had odour events in Point Lonsdale, but nothing like this.”
Council’s health manager Steve Sodomaco assured residents the smell posed no threat to health or safety.
“From time to time Lake Victoria dries out and as a result the vegetation within the water body begins to decompose, releasing strong sulphur-based odours,” he explained.
“This is a natural phenomenon that dissipates over time or upon sufficient rainfall.”
Parks Victoria had also confirmed Lake Victoria as the source of the smell, Mr Sodomaco said.
“We have investigated a number of these occurrences over the years, as they do naturally occur from time to time.
“There is no cause for concern and residents should not be alarmed or concerned although the City acknowledges that the smell is unpleasant.”
