The town has experienced odour issues for years, though a recent increase led to an investigation by the Environmental Protection Authority identifying a number of sources including the nearby JBS meatworks, TasWater wastewater plant and Paton Street sewage pump station.

A rupture - since repaired - in an effluent pipe between the meatworks and the wastewater plant was also identified.

Council will now write to the EPA, TasWater, and JBS Swift detailing the community complaints and requesting a formal response on actions being taken to stop the issue.

IN OTHER NEWS

The issue was raised on Monday by Councillor Matthew Brooks, who told the meeting the number of complaints he received in recent weeks was "astronomical".

At the weekend, Cr Brooks called the EPA after heading into town to find the smell "putrid" following calls from residents. "We're all encouraged to call the EPA ... they document it, but the lip service doesn't seem to go anywhere," Cr Brooks said.

"I know the Longford residents have had a gutfull of the smell. We shouldn't have to be putting up with businesses putting smells like that over the town."

Councillor Janet Lambert said the odours had been an issue when when she lived in Longford in the 1990s and nothing had changed, "if anything it has got worse". 

Responding to the concerns raised at the meeting, TasWater chief executive Mike Brewster said they are working with stakeholders to address the matter.

EPA director Wes Ford said investigations were continuing into recent incidents and regulatory options, but it was likely "major capital works" would be needed at both the abattoir and wastewater plant to manage the odours.

JBS Swift was contacted for comment.

The Northern Midlands Courier has been working publishing a monthly "pong alert" to assist EPA reporting, with odour detections made by community members.

Councillor Jan Davis told Monday's meeting it was the "squeaky wheels" that received attention. "If we want something to happen we have to be noisy," she added. 

Councillor Dick Adams noted the corporation had threatened to walk away on governments in the past, though they do respo.

"We do have an agency that should be enforcing that and I think we need to ... write to the Minister in charge of [the EPA] to try and bring some political pressure," Cr Adams said.

While you're with us, you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates and daily headlines direct to your inbox. Sign up here.