DURHAM -- The Region of Durham can do little about a smell emanating from a composting site on Thornton Road in Oshawa other than to raise a stink about the issue, councillors heard at Wednesday’s works committee meeting.

The site is owned by Courtice Auto Wreckers and has been the subject of complaints from residents in the area.

Oshawa Councillor John Neal brought the issue to the committee. Fellow Oshawa Councillor Brian Nicholson suggested suspending the shipment of Durham materials to the site and writing to neighbouring municipalities suggesting they do the same, until the issue is resolved. He described the smell as noxious.

“This is just the middle of winter. Can you imagine what it’s going to be like when the warmer weather gets here,” he said.

However, Cliff Curtis, commissioner of works for the Region, said Durham does not have a contract with the site’s owners; they’re a subcontractor of Waste Management. Once Waste Management picks up the waste, it’s their property.

Mr. Curtis said trying to put conditions on the Region’s contract with Waste Management or urging others to do so could create a legal problem and the Region’s solicitor confirmed that opinion. The site is licensed by the Ministry of the Environment.

In the past, some of the yard leaf and yard waste from Clarington went there. Though Toronto sends green bin waste to the facility, no kitchen waste from Durham ends up there.

To deal with the situation, Mr. Curtis said councillors could contact the MOE directly since the ministry works based on complaints.

After further discussion, committee members agreed to instead write a letter expressing their concerns and forward it to local Members of Provincial Parliament, the MOE and the municipalities involved.

Whitby Councillor Gerry Emm promised to bring the issue to the attention of his council.

“I think the Town of Whitby and the City of Oshawa can come up with the type of request to urge the owner to take a look at his operation and see how he could resolve it,” he said.

“Thanks very much, I appreciate the help from the Town of Whitby because the smell knows no borders,” responded Coun. Neal.

Earlier this week an MOE representative said they’re taking action on the issue and have met with the owners and ordered them to stop accepting waste until they comply with ministry requirements.

-- With files from Jillian Follert