The Queensland government has launched a survey, asking the Ipswich community to report the types of nuisance odours they are experiencing and when and where they are occurring.

People living in suburbs such as Ripley and Swanbank have complained about bad smells for years, which some saying it gets worse over summer.

Among the questions, the survey asks if respondents are affiliated with any environmental or waste associated groups, if they have noticed odours and whether they believe industrial activity is impacting on the environment.

People were asked to describe the smell's characteristics, suggesting fishy, faecal (like rubbish) manure, burnt or smoky, paint, rotten eggs, dead animal or compost waste.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said people's feedback would help the government better understand any ongoing nuisance odour issues and manage it effectively.

Ms Enoch said the Environment and Science Department had been engaging with industry, affected residents, stakeholders and concerned members of the public and was working to pinpoint potential sources.

"There are a number of industry activities within and around the suburbs reported to be affected, and the department will take appropriate action where any non-compliant activities are detected," she said.

"We take this matter seriously and have carried out a targeted compliance program in an effort to effectively manage the issue."

Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the survey was being conducted by an independent consultant and would report back only to the government.

"I encourage everyone to have their say," she said.

Posting on Facebook, Ms Miller said she had been calling for an independent survey since mid-2017, and there would be no council involvement in the process.

Ms Miller said copies of the printed survey could be collected from her electorate office, or people could call and it could be posted to them.

Ms Enoch said the government had established Operation Tora to focus on reducing impacts from waste activities, such as waste recycling or reprocessing, waste storage, waste transport from interstate and waste treatment.

People can report nuisance odours via the Reporting Environmental Nuisance page.

The survey will be available until May 6 at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au.