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Closed landfills can pose a wide range of risks to the environment and human health. They should be considered during any land use planning decisions. The sources and levels of risk posed by closed landfills change over time.
The Local council self-assessment tool for closed landfill environmental risk (publication 1671) (‘the self-assessment tool’ or ‘the tool’) enables councils to conduct closed landfill environmental risk assessments in their municipalities.
Councils are encouraged to use the tool for closed landfills that don’t currently have an EPA licence or notice.
Why the tool was developed
The Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) conducted a review of the management of landfills by councils and EPA.
The 2014 VAGO report on landfill management in Victoria, recommendation number 5, states:
“Councils work with the Environment Protection Authority and the regional waste and resource recovery groups (WRRGs) to identify closed landfills, assess their risks and prioritise actions at a regional scale to address these”.
The self-assessment tool will help councils fulfil their legislative obligations to manage closed landfills. It has been developed in collaboration with local government, WRRGs and EPA.
How the tool works
Using the tool, local councils can identify the levels of risk – High, Medium, and Low – associated with each site within their municipality. They can work with EPA, if necessary, to address any issues.
The tool is a user-friendly, easy method of providing a basic assessment of the level of risk to public health and the environment from closed landfills. It is designed for assessing closed landfills that don't currently have regulatory instruments on them, for example, Post Closure Pollution Abatement Notice (PCPAN) or other regulatory tools.
It is strongly suggested that councils take photos throughout each assessment, as these will be useful during further assessments and assist EPA to provide advice.
Local councils are under no obligation to use the tool. They can choose to engage environmental consultants to assess risk.
- Download a copy of the tool
- How to complete a closed landfill self-assessment
- Background information about the tool
How the assessment data is used
The tool enables councils and WRRGs to collect data about closed landfills in their area. That data can be used to help assess risk levels and prioritise any works or risk mitigation activities.
The data is provided to EPA voluntarily and will be stored in a central location. The assessment data will help EPA to support local councils with addressing any issues identified during a risk assessment.
Get help with the risk assessment tool
Local government can contact their EPA regional office or regional WRRG to ask questions or discuss any concerns identified during a risk assessment.
To contact your EPA regional office, use the relevant email address in the table below or call 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).
When emailing, please include in the subject: “[council] Closed Landfill Environmental Risk Assessment [site name/address]”.
| EPA region | WRRGs | Councils | EPA cotacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| North West |
LMWRRG |
Mildura Swan Hill Loddon Mount Alexander Macedon Ranges Greater Bendigo Buloke Gannawarra Central Goldfields |
|
| North West | GCWWRRG |
Golden Plains Hepburn Hindmarsh Horsham Northern Grampians West Wimmera Yarriambiack |
northwest.mailbox@epa.vic.gov.au |
| South West | GCWWRRG | Ballarat Moorabool Ararat Pyrenees |
southwestoffice@epa.vic.gov.au |
| South West | BSWWRRG | Borough of Queenscliff Greater Geelong Colac Otway Corangamite Glenelg Moyne Southern Grampians Surf Coast Warrnambool City |
southwestoffice@epa.vic.gov.au |
| North East | NEWRRG | Indigo Wodonga Towong Alpine Wangaratta Mansfield |
epa.northeast@epa.vic.gov.au |
| North East | GVWRRG | Campaspe Moira Greater Shepparton Benalla Strathbogie Murrindindi Mitchell |
epa.northeast@epa.vic.gov.au |
| Gippsland | GWRRG | East Gippsland Wellington Latrobe Baw Baw South Gippsland Bass Coast |
epa.gippsland@epa.vic.gov.au |
| Southern Metro | MWRRG | Cardinia Casey Mornington Peninsula Knox Glen Eira Monash Kingston Greater Dandenong Frankston Bayside |
southmetro.planning@epa.vic.gov.au |
| Metro | MWRRG | Brimbank Moonee Valley Moreland Darebin Banyule Manningham Maribynong Melbourne Yarra Boroondara Whitehorse Hobsons Bay Port Phillip Stonnington Wyndham Melton Hume Whittlesea Nillumbik Maroondah Yarra Ranges |
contact@epa.vic.gov.au |
Read next
Landfill pollution guidance – overview
Landfills – guidance for business
Landfill guidance and policy documents
Landfill and prescribed waste levies
Landfill monitoring and audits
Local council self-assessment tool: instructions
Local council self-assessment tool: background
This page was copied from EPA’s old website. It was last updated on 7 February 2018.
Reviewed 25 September 2020
