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The Kealba landfill is operated by Barro Group Pty. Ltd. and has a suspended licensed to accept solid inert waste. Examples of types of waste in the landfill include concrete, bricks, dry timber, plasterboard, carpet, plastic, glass, metals, bitumen and shredded tyres.
Compliance and enforcement timeline
What caused the hot spots
The Kealba landfill hotspots are likely to be a result of oxygen entering the landfill and combusting with old, decomposing waste. Four hotspots have been identified at the landfill, located deep within landfill cells. Two pathways are likely to have contributed to oxygen entering the landfill: the exposed, external side walls of the landfill; and the leachate drainage layer underneath the waste mass. Recent hotspot remediation works identified that oxygen likely entered cell 2 of the landfill through the leachate drainage network.
Regulatory action
On 13 September 2021, EPA suspended the Barro Group’s licence to operate the Kealba landfill. The suspension relates to breaches caused by ongoing hotspots and odour impacting nearby residents. The suspension follows a Notice on Intention to Suspend Permission issued in July, alleging it was in contravention of its operating licence due to the odour impacts of the hotspots. After careful consideration of the current situation and the duty holder’s response, EPA has now formed the view that Barro has significantly contravened its licence conditions. While Barro voluntarily ceased accepting waste at the site in December 2020, the suspension notice now enforces this action and opens up other avenues for regulation and sanction. Barro Group cannot start accepting waste until EPA is satisfied the contravention of its licence has been rectified. Given this suspension, EPA has also issued an Environmental Action Notice to ensure Barro Group continues to manage any risks from the landfill site.
On 26 August EPA issued Barro Group with a noise notice under the general environmental duty. The notice requires Barro Group to take practicable measures to prevent noise pollution. This includes reviewing and putting in place further controls to prevent or reduce noise from clean-up works near street level at the landfill. Barro Group has until October 6, 2021 to comply with this notice.
EPA has issued Barro Group with an official warning, for failing to immediately notify EPA of the hotspots, and an infringement notice for failing to meet a site licence condition to apply daily cover to waste.
EPA has issued five legal notices to require and regulate the progressive investigation, remediation, air monitoring and community engagement associated with this issue. Our current clean up notice remains in force and we continue to regulate this site and issue strongly with regular proactive compliance inspections, odour surveys, and enforcement where needed.
EPA is currently investigating action against the company in accordance with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy for not meeting the initial 31 May 2021 deadline. This includes assessing additional information that was submitted by Barro Group on 21 and 31 May 2021.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria's regulation of Kealba landfill (publication 1985) is a more detailed report on our regulation of the landfill, from initial approval and licensing, and the current hotspots issue.
EPA is now regulating the Kealba landfill under the new laws set out in the Environment Protection Act 2017. The new legislation provides EPA with a range of enhanced powers and regulatory tools.
EPA continues to check and enforce the current clean up notice and expects that Barro Group will continue its work to extinguish the hotspots as quickly and safely as it can in accordance with this. Barro stopped accepting waste at the site in December 2020 and made some changes to the cooling method used to try and speed up the process.
Barro and their technical specialist consultants believe the remaining hotspots may have grown and recently estimated the remediation works could still take up until May 2022 to be extinguished. EPA refused Barro’s request for this extension on 20 May 2021.
Barro is undertaking another significant round of drilling works. It will ensure they understand the extent of the largest remaining hotspot and the best mix of available options to use. It will also help them to estimate how long the clean-up will take to complete and whether alternative methods, such as foam injection, can be trialled.
EPA continues to work closely with interagency partners at Fire Rescue Victoria, WorkSafe, and Brimbank City Council. EPA also considers independent advice on additional measures that can be taken to extinguish the hotspots faster and to minimise odours during the process.
We are continuing to regulate this site strongly with regular proactive compliance inspections and odour surveys.
Health information
Preventing and minimising any harm to community health from these hotspots has been the most important focus of EPA’s regulation of this issue. While air quality monitoring by both EPA and Barro since December 2019 has found no issues of concern for long term community health, the odour from the site can be offensive.
EPA’s review of air quality, odour monitoring and pollution reports indicate it is contributing to community distress, predominantly at Kealba and St Albans. Our noses are sensitive and often pick up odour long before there is any health risk. In most cases, odours from landfill hotspot don’t impact long-term community health.
If you feel unwell or distressed:
- call NURSE ON CALL on 1300 60 60 24
- visit a doctor.
- visit Head to Health online to find digital mental health resources from trusted service providers including
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- speak to someone at the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them call EPA Victoria on 1300 372 842
- contact us through the National Relay Service if you have a hearing or speech impairment.
Information for local doctors
EPA recognises how important local doctors are in providing care for local residents who may have health concerns.
We have provided local general practitioners (GPs) with health information for Kealba odour issues. We have also provided GPs with details on, community concerns and where they can get more information.
Air quality
Air quality monitoring by both EPA and the landfill operator has found low risk for long-term community health. EPA expects this to continue but still requires the company to continue its air monitoring at the site.
EPA has heard community concerns in relation to air quality monitoring associated with the Kealba landfill. EPA has deployed two new air monitors in Kealba and St Albans. These monitors provide local residents with hourly data for particulate matter around the Kealba landfill site. The safety and wellbeing of local residents is a priority for EPA.
EPA's air quality information and easier access to health messaging is available on EPA AirWatch.
Results of air quality monitoring by the operator will continue and results can be found at the Sunshine Landfill website.
Community engagement
EPA is working with the community to design future forums and ongoing engagement. We want to make sure that we provide you with relevant information through appropriate channels.
Barro Group continue to hold their regular online community information sessions. You can get more information on their Sunshine Landfill website.
EPA will not be attending Barro's information sessions while current legal processes are underway.
What to do if you experience odour
You can report excessive odour to our 24-hour hotline – 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC).
We have published an odour diary (F1019) that you can use to record your observations of odour. Please send updates at least weekly to contact@epa.vic.gov.au.
If you feel unwell or distressed:
- call NURSE ON CALL on 1300 60 60 24
- visit a doctor
- visit Head to Health online to find digital mental health resources from trusted service providers including
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
Further information
General
Regulation
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Why did EPA approve the landfill in the first place?
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What are the current notices on the landfill?
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What does the EPA’s notice regarding noise mean for Barro Group?
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When will EPA sanction the Barro Group for non-compliance?
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Has EPA previously sanctioned Barro?
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Where can I see the findings of environmental audits of the site?
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Will EPA review Barro’s licence and the type of waste they can and can’t accept?
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What will change under the new Environment Protection Act?
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What are the next steps for EPA?
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Why has EPA now suspended Barro’s licence to operate the Kealba landfill?
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Barro stopped accepting waste in December 2020. What does suspending the licence actually achieve?
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What does this mean for the clean-up?
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Barro has now missed both of the clean-up deadlines. When can the residents expect the hotspots will be out?
Hot spots
Air quality and health
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What is the impact on my health and the health of my family?
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Are there long-term health impacts from odour?
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Why is the odour worse on some days rather than others?
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How are you monitoring the air quality in Kealba?
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Why is EPA deploying new air monitors to the Kealba and St Albans community?
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How long will the monitors be deployed?
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What are they measuring?
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How can I find out the results of the air monitoring?
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Will EPA keep the community up to date with the results of the air monitoring?
Reviewed 29 September 2021