Stevensons Road (Cranbourne) Landfill gas migration - previous updates
October 2009
The Victorian Ombudsman today released his report into the gas leak from the closed Stevensons Road landfill into the Brookland Greens Estate.
EPA Victoria actively assisted this enquiry by the Victorian Ombudsman.
EPA accepts all of the recommendations that relate to EPA and has already or is in the process of implementing two thirds of the recommendations, with the remainder set to be complete by June 2010.
EPA’s priority at all times has been the safety and well-being of the residents of the Brookland Greens Estate and the environment.
EPA continues to regulate and monitor City of Casey’s works at the closed landfill. These works are required to stop the movement of gas from the landfill to the adjoining Estate.
EPA is pleased that some of the Council works are complete, in particular the construction of the deep trench wall extending more than halfway around the landfill.
EPA is now looking forward to seeing an evaluation from Casey Council into how effective these measures have been in stopping gas migrating from the landfill into the estate.
In early 2009, EPA released the results of an assessment of landfill gas risks from 260 licensed landfills across Victoria. It is evident from that work that there are no other residential sites affected in a similar manner.
1 September 2009
The Stevensons Road landfill operated between June 1996 and June 2005 as a municipal tip for the Casey and Frankston Councils. In 2008, unsafe levels of methane gas emanating from the landfill were detected in local homes and underground services. The City of Casey owns the closed landfill, and is implementing a range of works to address the gas migration.
EPA continues to monitor Council’s performance in managing their environmental obligations under the Environment Protection Act 1970. EPA’s prime concern remains the safety and well-being of residents and the environment.
EPA recommends that residents retain in-home monitors until Council provides assurance there is no longer an impact from landfill gas in the estate.
Residents are advised to follow the safety information as directed by Council.
Status of Mitigation Works
The City of Casey manages the former Stevenson’s Road landfill site and is responsible for continuing to mitigate gas migration from the site and keep residents informed of safety concerns.
Council has constructed a deep wall along the northern and western boundaries of the closed landfill site to prevent the movement of further landfill gas into adjoining housing estates.
Council continue to improve leachate and landfill gas management infrastructure and manage off-site methane monitoring as part of their Landfill Management Plan. Council have advised that monitoring data from bores and from homes indicates a general downward trend in the number of methane detections, and detection.
Visit City of Casey’s website 
for current information about works and resident safety.
April 30, 2009
Current status at the landfill and Brookland Greens Estate
The former Stevensons Road Landfill continues to release landfill gas into the local air environment surrounding the site.
EPA’s prime concern remains the safety and well-being of residents and the environment. Our aim is to ensure that the Stevensons Road Landfill complies with the Environment Protection Act 1970. EPA is using statutory tools under this Act to assist in ensuring that the landfill stops impacting the environment.
Landfill gas continues to escape underground from the former Stevensons Road Landfill site into the Brookland Greens Estate, with methane being detected above its lower and upper explosive limit (5% and 15% volume for volume) in many bores throughout the estate. While the landfill gas plume has been broadly identified, further investigation is required by the City of Casey to fully identify the specific areas being impacted. Landfill gas can pose an environmental hazard and may pose a risk of harm to people’s health, welfare and or safety.
From the data EPA has received from the City of Casey, methane is now only rarely detected in stormwater and electrical pits within the Brookland Greens Estate. Only a small number of houses being monitored in the estate are currently detecting methane (eg within cupboards below the kitchen sink where pipes from the sink penetrate through the house slab).
Until landfill gas stops migrating from the landfill, the possibility remains that harmful levels of methane can accumulate in partially enclosed spaces within houses in the estate. EPA strongly recommends that residents keep in-home monitors until City of Casey can confirm that landfill gas has stopped moving into the Brookland Greens Estate.
The City of Casey has undertaken venting and mitigation works on the Brookland Greens Estate. This is aimed to:
- reduce the risk of methane accumulating within enclosed spaces (i.e. stormwater pits, electrical pits, electrical meter boxes, house wall cavities, roof spaces, under slabs etc), and therefore reduce the likelihood of an explosion from occurring; and
- aid ventilation of possible subsurface migration pathways (service delivery lines -such as sewers, electrical pits etc; and permeable layers of soil - such as sand) by constructing gravel pits in the estate. (“Candy canes” were initially installed within these pits to monitor if methane was being vented through the pit).
Air quality surrounding the former Stevensons Road Landfill site
Landfill gas is a mixture of gases produced as waste decays. Methane and carbon dioxide are the main components of landfill gas, however there can be hundreds of other trace gases also present in minor amounts that can be highly odorous and may impact on local amenity or human health.
Methane and Carbon Dioxide
City of Casey are currently measuring methane and carbon dioxide monitoring on a weekly basis within the Brookland Greens Estate. Monitoring is undertaken in bores, electrical pits, stormwater pits and houses in the Brookland Greens Estate. The City of Casey has monitoring data beginning from the middle of 2006.
Trace gases
EPA can conclude from the sampling conducted, that no gases analysed detected concentrations which exceeded the safe limit over a 24 hour period.
The data collected and a summary and explanation of that data is available for viewing at the following link:
Environmental Audit Report for the air segment of the environment
The City of Casey, in accordance with their Pollution Abatement Notice issued in 2007, are required to submit an annual environmental audit report on the air segment of the environment around Stevensons Road Landfill. An environmental audit is an assessment of the condition of the environment, or the nature and extent of harm (or risk of harm) posed by an industrial process or activity, waste, substance or noise. Environmental audit reports are prepared by EPA appointed environmental auditors who are highly qualified and skilled individuals. The latest air audit report will be available on EPA’s website shortly.
Groundwater quality at and around the Stevensons Road Landfill site
The City of Casey, in accordance with their Pollution Abatement Notice issued in 2007, are required to submit an annual environmental audit report on the groundwater segment of the environment around Stevensons Road Landfill.
The recently completed audit report found some leachate in the groundwater. Leachate is contaminated water produced within the landfill as water infiltrates through the waste picking up decay products.
The auditor investigating groundwater at the landfill said that the use of groundwater for stock watering in areas close to the landfill needs to be assessed in more detail. Further work is required to determine the extent and impact on the groundwater that may be used for this purpose.
Anyone concerned about bore water in the estate area should seek advice from Southern Rural Water or EPA Victoria.
The latest audit report is available for viewing at the following links:
- Groundwater Environmental Audit Report
(PDF 1.02MB) - Appendix - A (PDF 12.08MB)
- Appendix - B (PDF 25KB)
- Appendix - C (PDF 16.33MB)
- Appendix - D (PDF 884KB)
- Appendix - E (PDF 487KB)
- Appendix - F (PDF14KB)
- Appendix - G (PDF29KB)
- Appendix - H (PDF1.51MB)
- Appendix - I (PDF37KB)
- Appendix - J (PDF16KB)
- Appendix - K (PDF33KB)
- Appendix - L (PDF105KB)
What EPA is requiring of the City of Casey
EPA is monitoring City of Casey’s performance in managing their environmental obligations under the Environment Protection Act 1970. Primarily, this involves requiring the City of Casey to stop any form of pollution, e.g. landfill impacts to the air or groundwater environments passing the boundary of the landfill site and impacting on neighboring residents.
EPA issued the City of Casey with a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) under section 31(A) of the Environment Protection Act 1970, in January 2007. Amongst other requirements, the notice requires the City of Casey to monitor bores within the estate on a weekly basis for landfill gas, conduct an audit each year on the state of the groundwater and air segments of the environment and the risk posed by the landfill on neighboring residents, and to prepare and implement a Rehabilitation Plan and a Landfill Gas Management Plan.
EPA issued the City of Casey with a Clean Up Notice under section 62A of the Environment Protection Act 1970, in September 2008. The notice required the City of Casey to conduct short term works at the landfill and within the estate to mitigate the risk to residents caused by the migration of landfill gas, and to prepare a long term landfill gas mitigation options plan.
The long term landfill gas mitigations plan includes the upgrade of the gas extraction system and the construction of the deep trench wall between the landfill and the estate. The City of Casey issued a community update on 6 April 2009 regarding the Deep Wall which can be viewed on their website (www.casey.vic.gov.au). The City of Casey has advised EPA that the wall will be completed by the 31st July 2009.
The Clean Up Notice and Pollution Abatement Notice are available for viewing at the following links:
- EPA Clean Up Notice (PDF, 247KB)
- Pollution Abatement Notice (PDF, 247KB)
Landfill Management Plan
The City of Casey is currently reviewing their management plans and has advised EPA that a Landfill Management Plan will be resubmitted to EPA.
The Landfill Management Plan, to be EPA environmental auditor reviewed, is designed to ensure City of Casey have in place the framework to effectively manage all aspects of ongoing landfill management, and to provide assurance to EPA and local residents that the former landfill site is being managed to comply with the Environment Protection Act 1970 – ie, no form of pollution (eg landfill gas) is being discharged past the boundary of the site. The plan will include the rehabilitation and landfill gas management plans required by the PAN.
EPA pollution watch line
Call the 24 hour EPA Pollution Watch Line on 9695 2777 if you notice any odours, smoke, noise or any spills coming from the landfill site.
March 05, 2009
What is the current status at the landfill and estate?
Methane gas continues to escape from the landfill into the Brooklands Green estate. EPA’s prime concern remains the safety and well-being of residents, as well as ensuring that City of Casey appropriately manage all aspects of the landfill.
EPA recommends that residents retain in-home monitors until such time as a permanent solution preventing methane entering the estate is in place.
What is EPA requiring of City of Casey?
EPA is monitoring City of Casey’s performance in managing all aspects of the landfill. This includes reducing methane risk to residents, stopping methane gas from migrating across the landfill boundary, as well as ongoing monitoring, rehabilitation and management. City of Casey is required to provide a full landfill management plan in the coming weeks. This plan provides the foundation for ongoing review and assessment by EPA.
City of Casey is required to manage household risk and is doing so primarily by providing house ventilation, gas monitors and venting in the estate.
City of Casey is also required to eliminate methane movement beyond the boundary, as required by an EPA notice issued in September 2008. City of Casey’s current plans for elimination include the construction of a 35 metre deep wall between the landfill and the estate, as a key componet of an overall plan. The wall is currently planned at 830 metres long along the northern, western and southern boundaries and will be completed by the end of July this year.
City of Casey have provided audit reports relating to groundwater and air to EPA. The groundwater report is available for viewing at the following links. The air audit report will be available on the EPA website shortly
October 31, 2008
Extensive mitigation and monitoring works have been undertaken at the Brookland Greens Estate by CFA, City of Casey, EPA and other agencies. This work, including the installation of in home monitors and passive vents has reduced the risk to residents.
While the situation is no longer considered an emergency, the CFA will remain ready should the risk change. EPA will continue to monitor the situation and provide advice to agencies on any change.
EPA acknowledges the work CFA, Victorian Police and other agenices have done in managing this emergency situation.
EPA’s prime concern remains the safety and well-being of residents.
Residents can continue to live with methane migrating from the landfill for some time until measures have been implemented by the City of Casey and shown to be effective.
EPA will continue to require City of Casey to take action to ensure they are managing the situation. It is important that measures to mange household risk such as house ventilation, gas monitors and venting in the estate are maintained and improved as needed.
EPA will continue to provide factual advice to the community and other agencies.
City of Casey has committed to providing its plan for reduction of methane gas from the landfill to EPA by the end of today.
15 September 2008
Since 10 September the issues from landfill gas escaping from the Stevensons Road (Cranbourne) closed landfill continue to be managed through state emergency management services and EPA is supporting that process.
Communications and support to residents being affected by this problem are being managed by Casey Council who own the closed landfill. Casey Council will provide up to date information on their website: www.casey.vic.gov.au/stevensonsroad .
If you have questions about:
- organising in-home monitoring;
- health and safety of residents; or
- support for or information about relocation
Casey Council will be able to assist you. Please call their 24 hour number: 9705 5200.
The following key messages that have been provided by the Country Fire Authority (CFA):
- There is a very real risk within the Brookland Greens Estate of gas concentration sufficient to cause an explosion;
- This is being mitigated through a variety of methods including monitoring of levels, venting of confined spaces and storm water drains, and long term actions to decrease the overall below ground levels of gas;
- The only sure way to eliminate this risk for residents is for them to relocate from their homes. On expert advice including from the EPA, CFA recommends this approach as the safest option;
- The State’s emergency management protocols will oversee any relocation and ensure that affected residents are supported in every possible way;
- Should you choose not to relocate, then there is a range of actions that you can take on your property to increase your safety. These include ensuring all confined spaces are adequately ventilated, being vigilant and reporting any gas build up detected and by avoiding using ignition sources in confined spaces. Residents should also avoid environments where gas has become concentrated as it can cause adverse affects;
- The City of Casey will play a key role in the response and recovery actions for affected residents;
- Our main concern is for the safety of residents in the Brookland Greens Estate and we want to ensure the appropriate measures are taken to protect them from any potential danger.
To know more:
Casey Council are establishing a permanent information centre to support residents. This centre will provide coordinated information about in-home monitoring, health and safety, and relocation support from the different emergency support agencies involved, such as CFA and Department of Human Services. Please refer to the Casey Council website for further information: www.casey.vic.gov.au/stevensonsroad .
What can I do if I stay?
Some residents homes are not currently affected by the gas, however gas movement is hard to predict, which means more houses may be found as more monitoring is undertaken.
In order to take part in the monitoring, you can make a request with the City of Casey by calling 9705 5200.
11 September Update
As of September 10 the issues at Brookland Greens Estate, Cranbourne are being managed through state emergency management services and EPA is supporting that process.
The following key messages are being provided by the Country Fire Authority (CFA):
- There is a very real risk within the Brookland Greens Estate of gas concentration sufficient to cause an explosion;
- This is being mitigated through a variety of methods including monitoring of levels, venting of confined spaces and storm water drains, and long term actions to decrease the overall below ground levels of gas;
- The only sure way to eliminate this risk for residents is for them to relocate from their homes. On expert advice including from the EPA, CFA recommends this approach as the safest option;
- The State’s emergency management protocols will oversee any relocation and ensure that affected residents are supported in every possible way;
- Should you choose not to relocate, then there is a range of actions that you can take on your property to increase your safety. These include ensuring all confined spaces are adequately ventilated, being vigilant and reporting any gas build up detected and by avoiding using ignition sources in confined spaces. Residents should also avoid environments where gas has become concentrated as it can cause adverse affects;
- The City of Casey will play a key role in the response and recovery actions for affected residents;
- Our main concern is for the safety of residents in the Brookland Greens Estate and we want to ensure the appropriate measures are taken to protect them from any potential danger.
To know more:
There will be a community meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday September 11 at the Old Shire offices, corner Sladen Street and South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne – Melways reference 133 J6.
An information tent is open in the park at the top of Cherryhills Drive during between 10am - 4pm on Thursday through to Saturday. (September 11-13)
Residents should attend for more information. The CFA, City of Casey, and EPA will be attending.
What can I do if I stay?
Some residents homes are not currently affected by the gas, however gas movement is hard to predict, which means more houses may be found as more monitoring is undertaken.
In order to take part in the monitoring, you can make a request with the City of Casey by calling 9705 5200.
Residents can also help prevent gas entering their homes. “What should I do?”
( Adobe PDF, 65KB) explains what you can do around your home.
19 August 2008 update
In-home Monitoring
145 residents in the Brookland Greens Estate have agreed to have their homes monitored for methane gas.
In-home monitoring is important to ensure the residents’ safety. Monitoring is also very useful to help the City of Casey and EPA learn more about the migrating gas.
Some homes have had methane detected. In one home, methane was detected at a concerning level in the garage. The householder acted immediately by informing the City of Casey and ventilated the garage by opening the door. This home will be installed with a permanent monitoring device.
Management options
The City of Casey and EPA are working with local and international experts to develop options for controlling the spread of landfill gas from Stevensons Road former landfill.
Because landfill gas affecting residential areas is very rare in Australia, experts from Canada, the United States of America, Italy and the United Kingdom have been called in to assist.
The affected residents will be informed as options are developed. Residents will also be informed about any dust or odours that work on-site will create.
For more information see the City of Casey’s website here
31 July 2008 update
Community Open Day, 26 July
The City of Casey Community open day at Brookland Greens Estate was well attended with approximately 50 people attending across the day. Staff from Council and EPA were on hand to discuss community concerns about health and safety. Residents were able to register their interest in having monitoring in their homes.
In-home monitoring
Council continues to monitor for methane in homes throughout the estate. Monitoring has occurred in 29 houses throughout the estate. There has been no detection of methane inside houses during the in-home monitoring since the 22 July 2008.
For more information see the City of Casey’s website or contact City of Casey Information Line 9705 5200.
Some answers to common questions may be found in Cranbourne Landfill Gas Migration Questions and Answers ( Adobe PDF, 78KB)
You can also email enquires to EPA
22 July 2008 Update
Community Open Day
The City of Casey will host a community open day in the Brookland Greens Estate, supported by EPA Victoria.
This day will give residents an opportunity to discuss home monitoring and landfill gas management at the Stevensons Road former landfill, and any other related concerns about their health and safety directly with staff.
Date: Saturday 26 July 2008
Time: Staff from all organisations will be available to talk with residents between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm.
Location: Reserve on right near entrance to Brookland Greens Estate
Cherry Hills Drive, Cranbourne (Melway 133 F5/6)
Contact: The City of Casey on 03 9705 5200.
For more information: see the City of Casey’s website
In-home Monitoring
The City of Casey and EPA Victoria, with support from CFA, monitored most potentially affected homes in the Brookland Greens Estate on Wednesday and Thursday evenings (16 and 17 July).
Monitoring showed that most homes were unaffected at the time, however in almost 10% of houses methane was detected. The levels detected were not an immediate health or safety risk, however the City of Casey will commence ongoing monitoring in these homes to ensure that the potential risks are comprehensively managed.
Over the next two weeks, fifty portable methane monitors will be rotated through homes on the estate. Homes selected for monitoring will be those that have had methane detected in the past, or those that are located near a bore, electrical service pit or stormwater drain which have recorded methane levels in the past.
In-home monitoring will help residents remain informed and will supply important information to further develop strategies for the long-term management of the former landfill.
For more information see the City of Casey’s website
Some answers to common questions may be found in Cranbourne Landfill Gas Migration Questions and Answers ( Adobe PDF, 78KB)
You can also email enquires to EPA cranbournelandfill@epa.vic.gov.au