City of Nedlands takes legal action against Biotech company Arvela as fly research facility causes bad smell

The City of Nedlands is taking legal action against an insect laboratory which Floreat residents have blamed for causing an unbearable stench in the leafy western suburb. The council is prosecuting Biotech company Arvela which it says conducting its research at a University of Western Australia facility on Underwood Avenue — where locals say the smell is most prominent — without approval. The research involved breeding flies to feast on agricultural waste and converting their excrement into fertiliser, in the hope of reducing waste on farms. But, the council has accused the company of “snubbing its nose” at the its objections to the works, amid a string of resident complaints about the putrid stench and escaped insects buzzing around the neighbourhood. Some of those living in the suburb, which has a median house price of almost $2 million, have complained the smell is so bad they have cancelled backyard barbecues and were embarrassed to have visitors. Floreat local Berwyn Roberts said the “putrid” smell was affecting the quality of life for those in the area. “It’s often impossible to go outside without experiencing revolting, dead carcass-like odours,” she told a council meeting in September. “We can’t entertain outdoors ... we’ve been held captive in our own homes. “We’re angry, frustrated, ashamed, nauseated and embarrassed by this ongoing situation.” In September, Arvela attempted to make a retrospective development application but it was knocked back by the council. The council then moved to prosecute the company, accusing it of running without land use approval for “many years”. “Despite the objections of Council and the multiple approaches by officers, the research lab has continued to operate without approvals, effectively snubbing its nose at the local authority and irate residents,” the spokesperson said. Arvela founder Luke Wheat told the council the company was making changes to address the smell and pleaded with them to allow its research to continue. “Since being made aware of the odour complaints form the community, we’ve been working tirelessly through a serious of mitigation strategies to address the odour impacts,” he said. “Any order to cease operations at this time would mean an end to 10 years of blood, sweat and tears, the immediate loss of 14 jobs and the missed opportunity to realise the true impact of our research on organise waste management.” The company has been charged with contravening a planning scheme and is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court later this month. The maximum penalty for the charge is $200,000.