Ipswich City Council has been accused of ignoring a fire risk posed by a tyre processing plant. 

The Chip Tyre recycling centre at New Chum west of Brisbane contains massive stockpiles of tyres, which a community group says exposes local residents to significant fire and health risks. 

Chip Tyre was fined almost $14,000 in December last year by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) for failing to comply with an order to reduce the number of tyres on site.

Ipswich Residents Against Toxic Environments (IRATE) president Jim Dodrill says the fire risks remain. 

“Our main concern is that if those stockpiles catch fire, the potential for a very large catastrophe is significant,” Mr Dodrill has told reporters.

“We're concerned that both the state government and Ipswich City Council don't have a disaster management plan in place for this facility because they just think that it won't happen.

“There is a real potential there because if we do get a bushfire, for example, and that ignites this stockpile of tyres, then we're going to have whole suburbs blanketed in toxic smoke.”

Mr Dodrill says the local council is neglecting residents' concerns.

“The council has been asleep at the wheel on this particular issue,” he said.

“They knew about this since before they were elected, they promised they would do something about it and they've done nothing as far as we know.

“They haven't even been out there to have a look themselves, despite all the emails and communication we've had with them.

“They just seem completely disinterested in this.”

Local councillors say they have met with several community members to discuss Chip Tyre.

The council’s Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee chair Mayor Teresa Harding says multiple show cause notices have been issued to the company.

Chip Tyre says it is liaising with DES and the QFES to ensure its site remains a low fire risk.

“Chip Tyre take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously, which we ensure through best practice-based policies and practices,” the company said.

“Chip Tyre have comprehensively considered the impact and protection of the local environment and community in our safety and environmental procedures.

“We remain engaged with the local community to hear concerns. The environment, health and wellbeing of the local community has informed every decision the organisation has made over the last 20 years, resulting in a very strong track record.

“We will continue to safeguard local community interests in the years ahead.”

Mr Dodrill says further action is still needed to bring the business into line.

“It's frustrating because if this place does go up in flames, it's going to affect people's health,” he said.

“It's going to affect their lifestyles, and it may affect their property values and that's just not good enough.

“We're saying eliminate the problem before it happens.

“Don't allow it to happen and then try to do something about it. Get in beforehand.”