A Salisbury factory which residents say omits an odour that smells like cat urine has been given until April to stop the problem.
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Since March last year residents in Salisbury and Moorooka have lodged hundreds of complaints about the foul smell with Brisbane City Council.
Council lifestyle committee chair Krista Adams said an investigation had found plastics manufacturer EGR was mostly responsible for the stench.
Cr Adams told the council meeting on Tuesday that investigators visited more than 20 industrial businesses to find the site, analysing weather and wind conditions.
"Obviously a smell is a difficult thing to actually track," she said.
"It was complex and we believe there are other issues which are not EGR-[related], but the complaints have markedly dropped off in the last few months."
Cr Adams said EGR had improved its water treatment and maintenance practices.
"The findings in EGR's report indicated that there were no health risks associated with the odour and that the odour was caused by part of the water treatment process," she said.
Fairfax Media has contacted EGR for comment.
Last year, angry residents started a Facebook page named the Salisbury Moorooka - Noxious Odour Action Group. News Corp reported some residents were claiming that the smell caused migraines, while a pregnant mother moved away from the area due to the odour.
The council has drafted a program for EGR to follow, which is expected to be provided to them next week. Cr Adams said EGR would be given a March 31 deadline to comply.
"We did speak to many, many residents through correspondence, through emails, on phones. Obviously it was in the media as well," she said.
"Not only have we seen a massive drop in the odours reported to council, but we've also seen a really balanced, sensible approach to moving forward to resolve this issue for the residents of Moorooka and also make sure the business can keep operating."
Cr Adams said there had only been about 15 complaints since November.
She said the company, which has operated at the Evans Road site since 1973, was looking to eventually move to a new location in Darra.
"Council has been advised by EGR that they have purchased new equipment which will be installed at the Darra facility, so that the odour-causing water treatment facility is no longer a problem," Cr Adams said.
