EPA continues odour blitz in inner west

EPA Victoria is taking recent reports of odour in Melbourne’s inner west very seriously. As part of an ongoing inspection blitz on odour-causing industries in the region, the environmental regulator has conducted more than 36 inspections and issued eight compliance notices. 

Our team of scientists and authorised officers have inspected 22 sites since the operation, which aims to tackle long-running odour issues in the area, started in December 2025.

Meat-processing plants, tanneries and chemical plants are among the businesses that have been targeted in this inspection program.

More than one potential source has been identified. Those companies must immediately identify the odour risks on their site and develop plans to manage them.

EPA West Metropolitan Regional Manager Julia Gaitan said EPA would regulate this issue to the full extent of our powers.

She emphasised that the operation was complex, and some of the remedial works required would take time.

“We know this can be frustrating, and we’re grateful to everyone who has reported odours to us,” she said. “With the community’s help and the hard work of our authorised officers and scientists, we will continue to bring odour-emitters to account.”

EPA has also responded to a surge of complaints as light winds and warmer temperatures spread odours through Sunshine and surrounding suburbs in January and February, deploying officers after hours to trace the offensive smells to their origin.

“The community of the inner west have a right to enjoy their backyards without being impacted by odours, or open their windows on a hot night without worrying about what they’ll smell.

“We are taking action to hold industries to account. If you run a business that generates offensive smells, you have a legal duty to manage your business so those smells don’t affect the community. If you deliberately fail to manage this, EPA will hold you to account. We won’t tolerate operators who don’t take that responsibility seriously.”

Unlike other forms of pollution, such as noise or dust, there is no technology that can detect odour in real time. Ms Gaitan said that meant the community had a vital role to play in helping EPA.

“The human nose is the most sensitive tool we have for detecting odour, and we rely on evidence from our trained officers and the public,” she said.

“We urge anyone troubled by offensive odours to contact us on our 24/7 pollution hotline or through our website. The more information you can provide about what you smelled and when, the more chance we have of putting a stop to it.”

To report odours, call our 24-hour contact centre 1300 372 842 or go to Make a report | epa.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window). For more information about the operation, go to our dedicated Western suburbs odour program page(opens in a new window).