Last updated: 19 June 2026
In November 2025, CCL applied to amend its licence, seeking a five-year extension and removal of redundant shell sand feed diversion trials that had already been completed.
In considering further regulation actions to facilitate odour reduction, the Department initiated its own amendments to CCL’s licence and
opted to consider the licence extension request through this process. The Department amended the licence on 30 March 2026 with
consideration to CCL’s November 2025 application and 114 public submissions on that application.
A copy of the amended licence and amendment report are available on the Department’s website. Key changes in the amended licence
imposed by the Department include:
Allowing use of limestone and lime sand enables CCL to progress with alternative feedstock related odour reduction initiatives in real time.
Conditions related to the pilot-scale RTO ensure appropriate progression to a long–term odour solution in a timely manner.
The Department has four active applications from CCL under consideration, as follows:
1. Works approval application – dispersion cone for Kiln 6 stack:
On 20 February 2026, CCL submitted a works approval application to install a dispersion cone on the top of the kiln 6 stack,
with the intent of increasing dispersion of the kiln 6 stack emissions and reducing ground level odour concentrations. The Department
advertised the application and invited comment from direct interest stakeholders. The comment period has now closed and the Department is finalising its assessment.
2. Licence amendment application – Lime Kiln Dust (LKD) prilling infrastructure:
In November 2023, the Department granted a works approval allowing CCL to establish infrastructure to process LKD from kiln 5 and kiln 6
into small spheres (prilling) by adding water and agitating the material. The prilling is intended to reduce the dustiness of LKD and dust
emissions from the LKD disposal area. The works approval duration was extended in October 2025, and a subsequent licence amendment
application is under assessment to include the LKD prilling infrastructure to allow for its long-term operation.
3. Works approval application – concrete batching plants (Swan Materials):
On 4 March 2026, Swan Materials applied for a works approval for two mobile concrete batching plants at CCL’s Munster premises. The Department advertised and published the application on its website, while inviting comments from direct interest stakeholders. The
comment period closed on 11 June 2026.
4. Works approval application – low temperature odour oxidation pilot trial (ozone injection):
On 21 May 2026, CCL submitted a works approval application to install a pilot ozone injection plant, with the intent of determining the feasibility of using ozone to treat odour in the kiln 6 stack emissions and reducing ground level odour concentrations. The Department will advertise and publish the application on the website in due course and notify direct interest stakeholders inviting comments.
In December 2025 and April 2026, the Department issued two separate Prevention Notices under section 73A of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) to Cockburn Cement Limited (CCL). Each notice, issued on separate occasions, imposed specific requirements on CCL to mitigate air quality impacts in the City of Cockburn, particularly during peak summer conditions characterised by strong prevailing winds. The December 2025 notice required CCL to reduce shell sand throughput, while the April 2026 notice required CCL to cease using odour-causing shell sand during specific periods. Both notices have now expired.
On 9 March 2023, CCL was fined $290,000 after being found guilty of allowing unreasonable emissions (odour) from its premises in
Munster on six occasions between January and April 2019. Details of the prosecution can be found on the Department’s announcements page.
The Court was satisfied that the odour experienced by nearby residents was unreasonable and that CCL was the source of the odour.
The prosecution followed several years of investigations by the Department into ongoing complaints about odour and dust in the Cockburn area.
On 5 April 2023, CCL appealed the conviction and sentence relating to the 2019 charges in the Supreme Court. On 8 September 2023,
the Supreme Court upheld the convictions but reduced the fine from $290,000 to $245,000.
In January 2022, following further investigations by the Department into odour complaints, a second prosecution was initiated against CCL relating to unreasonable emissions (odour). These charges related to emissions which are alleged to have
occurred between January and April 2020.
On 21 March 2025, CCL was found guilty and fined a total of $20,000 for unreasonable odour emissions that occurred in early 2020.
The Department is committed to securing long-term, permanent solutions to reduce odour emissions and achieve the best possible outcomes for the community. Community reports play an important role in this process, helping the Department understand when and where impacts are occurring.
Residents are encouraged to report any odour or dust impacts by contacting the Environment Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or by using the Department’s online odour and dust reporting forms.
Community members may also report concerns directly to CCL by telephoning 1800 156 826 or emailing community@cockburncement.com.au.
Under its licence, CCL is required to record and investigate complaints relating to emissions from its premises and respond to complaints within specified timeframes. The requirement includes providing an initial response shortly after receiving a complaint, followed by further advice on investigation outcomes and any actions taken, unless the complainant has indicated a response is not required.
To support transparency, live emission data are available via the Cockburn Cement community website and CCL’s licence is publicly accessible on the Department’s Licences and Works Approvals webpage.
The Department will continue to closely monitor CCL’s operations and take enforcement action, where necessary, to support ongoing reduction in odour emissions and improve outcomes for the community.
The Department will update this page as new information comes to hand.
The Department of Health has also published general information and frequently asked questions in relation to air pollution and health associated with emissions from Cockburn Cement.
