Joseph Chetcuti fined $60,000 over illegal waste dumping

The owner of one of Victoria’s worst illegal dump sites has been fined $60,000 and ordered to clean up the polluted property after sentencing at Heidelberg Magistrates Court today. It is believed to be the highest fine issued to an individual for an environmental crime under the Victorian Environment Protection Act 2017.

This outcome is the result of EPA Victoria's strong regulatory action to hold waste dumping criminals to account.

Joseph Chetcuti will also have to pay $12,000 in legal costs. He must clean up the site even if it is sold. EPA expects the cost of clean up to be well over $1million.

Chetcuti plead guilty to two charges brought by EPA Victoria after failing to comply with EPA Victoria notices. EPA Victoria has vowed they will go after those who chose to take illegal waste to the site, committing a waste crime and creating a potential environmental disaster. 

Chetcuti pled guilty to:

• Depositing and receiving waste and reportable priority waste at a site not licensed to receive such waste

• Non-compliance with an Environmental  Action Notice under section 290(1) of the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Between 27 May 2025 and 28 August 2025, at Diamond Creek in the state of Victoria).

His Black Gully Rd, Diamond Creek property came to EPA’s attention following a fire in May 2025. EPA officers attended with members of the emergency services, discovering a highly organised and well established illegal waste dumping operation in the act of illegally burning off industrial waste. 

Investigations found that the fire had involved construction and demolition waste as well as other materials. Soil containing asbestos was also found on the 19,000 m² property which does not have a licence to accept such waste. 

On 14 May 2025 EPA served an environmental action notice (EAN) directing Chetcuti to stop accepting industrial waste at the premises, stop burning industrial waste at the premises, engage a qualified person to classify the industrial waste, remove it and undertake a verification by an occupational hygienist to demonstrate that asbestos material had been removed. 

Chetcuti failed to comply with the EPA notices issued and is guilty of operating a site accepting illegal waste.

Using aerial photography EPA was able to establish that imported fill soil was coming on to the property. Further surveillance showed incoming commercially operated trucks that were carrying fill material derived from commercial or domestic construction sites. The materials meet the definition of industrial waste which is regulated under the EP Act 2017. 

"This was a brazen and highly organised criminal waste dumping operation conducted on an industrial scale. Chetcuti and those who brought their illegal waste to the site showed a blatant disregard for the community and the environment, causing significant harm and eroding public trust,” said EPA CEO Joss Crawford. 

“The community is rightly outraged by his actions. EPA is taking strong action to track down unscrupulous operators who wilfully and deliberately break the law and hold them to account. 

“And we aren’t stopping here. More investigations are ongoing involving other properties and our investigations have identified multiple trucking companies who we believe used Chetcuti’s site as a dumping ground to avoid the cost of lawful disposal.

"Today sends a strong message to those doing the wrong thing – whether you are the one dumping, or whether you have a site that lets illegal dumping happen – we are watching, we will find you and won’t hesitate to take the strongest enforcement action available.”

Only sites licensed to accept construction and demolition waste, particularly waste containing asbestos, should be used for its disposal. Mr Chetcuti should be aware of that requirement. Those taking waste to his premises should also be aware. Our investigations are continuing and if breaches are identified, EPA will take action. 

Illegal waste dumping taskforce

EPA is cracking down on illegal waste dumping through a new multi-agency taskforce. For more information go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/illegal-waste-dumping-taskforce(opens in a new window) 

Waste crime is affecting Victoria’s communities and environment. If you see suspicious activity report is to EPA on 1300 372 842 and www.epa.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)

And beware online offers of cheap disposal of industrial waste. If it’s too cheap to be true, it most likely is. Demand to see evidence that your waste is being disposed of appropriately. Ask for evidence of their EPA Waste Tracker records and demand to know where disposal is to take place.

To find out more about EPA Waste Tracker go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/waste-tracker