SBI landfill

Status	Closed
Incident date	March 2022
Locations affected	Botanic Ridge, Brookland Greens, Cranbourne, Settlers Run

Incident summary

Since March 2022, we've received a large number of reports from the community about offensive odours coming from the SBI landfill.

Several factors have contributed to odour at the landfill:

insufficient cover over construction and demolition waste
one or more blockages in the leachate management infrastructure
lack of an appropriate risk management and monitoring program (RMMP)
issues with management of landfill gas extraction.

Too much water entered the landfill and pooled under the buried waste. This increased the amount of odorous landfill gases, which SBI failed to manage. One of these gases is hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), often described as having a rotten egg smell. This gas can be produced when solid inert waste decomposes.

The smell can be worse at night or in the morning when the air is still. This is because landfill gases are heavier than air, which means they tend to collect close to the ground. Winter can also make the smell seem stronger because cold, damp weather keeps the odour close to the ground.

The smell can reduce when it's windier.

Following our action, SBI has installed improved landfill gas capture and treatment systems. This is likely responsible for the reduced number of offensive odour reports we have received from the community.

Gases have been detected at low levels and are unlikely to cause long-term harm. Get more health information

Our role

As Victoria’s independent environment regulator, our role is to monitor and enforce compliance with the Environment Protection Act 2017(opens in a new window).

We're responsible for making sure businesses prevent or control pollution and improve the quality of the environment. This includes regulating activities that may cause harm to human health or the environment.

Learn about our role in:

We work with government and other authorities to respond to incidents. Learn more about who we work with(opens in a new window).

Health information

Health impacts of odour(opens in a new window) vary based on the level of exposure.

Hydrogen sulfide levels causing the odour at the SBI landfill are low and are unlikely to cause long-term harm. However, exposure to odour can cause short-term physical symptoms, such as:

sore throat
eye and nose irritation
headache
nausea.

These symptoms should gradually go away once the odour has gone.

Some people may be more sensitive to odours and may have symptoms even when exposed to a low concentration of an odorous compound in the air – for example:

young children
elderly people
pregnant people
people with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Offensive odours can also impact people’s mental health and sense of wellbeing, especially if an odour lasts a long time or keeps recurring. If you need help, talk to a doctor, psychologist or mental health support service.

To help minimise your exposure:

when the smell is noticeable outside, keep your windows and doors closed
when you cannot smell any odour outside, open your windows and doors to ventilate your house and replace stale air with fresh air.

Air monitoring data

The table below shows hydrogen sulfide readings from 22 July 2022 to 16 December 2022.

Date	Number of readings taken	Number of readings above 0.0	Maximum reading
22 July 2022	366	0	0
23 July 2022	576	8	0.2
24 July 2022	576	18	0.1
25 July 2022	576	0	0
26 July 2022	576	0	0
27 July 2022	576	0	0
28 July 2022	576	0	0
29 July 2022	576	0	0
30 July 2022	574	9	0.2
31 July 2022	576	0	0
1 August 2022	576	0	0
2 August 2022	576	0	0
3 August 2022	576	0	0
4 August 2022	576	1	0.1
5 August 2022	410	0	0
6 August 2022	288	0	0
7 August 2022	288	0	0
8 August 2022	287	0	0
9 August 2022	288	0	0
10 August 2022	288	0	0
11 August 2022	288	0	0
12 August 2022	288	0	0
13 August 2022	288	0	0
14 August 2022	288	0	0
15 August 2022	451	0	0
16 August 2022	364	0	0
17 August 2022	287	0	0
18 August 2022	288	0	0
19 August 2022	288	0	0
20 August 2022	284	0	0
21 August 2022	261	0	0
22 August 2022	251	0	0
23 August 2022	277	1	0.1
24 August 2022	290	0	0
25 August 2022	288	0	0
26 August 2022	288	0	0
27 August 2022	288	0	0
28 August 2022	288	0	0
29 August 2022	288	0	0
30 August 2022	296	1	0.1
31 August 2022	288	0	0
1 September 2022	288	0	0
2 September 2022	288	0	0
3 September 2022	288	0	0
4 September 2022	288	0	0
5 September 2022	288	0	0
6 September 2022	288	0	0
7 September 2022	288	0	0
8 September 2022	274	0	0
9 September 2022	288	0	0
10 September 2022	288	0	0
11 September 2022	288	0	0
12 September 2022	288	0	0
13 September 2022	288	0	0
14 September 2022	288	2	0.1
15 September 2022	288	0	0
16 September 2022	288	0	0
17 September 2022	287	0	0
18 September 2022	288	0	0
19 September 2022	288	0	0
20 September 2022	288	0	0
21 September 2022	288	0	0
22 September 2022	288	0	0
23 September 2022	288	0	0
24 September 2022	288	0	0
25 September 2022	288	0	0
26 September 2022	288	0	0
27 September 2022	288	0	0
28 September 2022	288	0	0
29 September 2022	288	0	0
30 September 2022	288	0	0
1 October 2022	288	0	0
2 October 2022	276	0	0
3 October 2022	288	0	0
4 October 2022	288	0	0
5 October 2022	288	0	0
6 October 2022	288	0	0
7 October 2022	288	0	0
8 October 2022	288	0	0
9 October 2022	288	0	0
10 October 2022	285	0	0
11 October 2022	288	0	0
12 October 2022	288	0	0
13 October 2022	288	0	0
14 October 2022	288	0	0
15 October 2022	288	0	0
16 October 2022	283	0	0
17 October 2022	288	0	0
18 October 2022	288	3	0.1
19 October 2022	287	1	0.1
20 October 2022	288	11	0.1
21 October 2022	144	37	0.1
22 October 2022	288	0	0
23 October 2022	288	0	0
24 October 2022	288	0	0
25 October 2022	288	24	0.1
26 October 2022	288	0	0
27 October 2022	288	0	0
28 October 2022	265	0	0
29 October 2022	286	0	0
30 October 2022	288	0	0
31 October 2022	288	0	0
1 November 2022	288	0	0
2 November 2022	288	0	0
3 November 2022	288	0	0
4 November 2022	288	0	0
5 November 2022	288	3	0.1
6 November 2022	288	70	0.1
7 November 2022	288	95	0.2
8 November 2022	288	108	0.2
9 November 2022	288	121	0.2
10 November 2022	288	69	0.1
11 November 2022	288	0	0
12 November 2022	288	0	0
13 November 2022	288	49	0.1
14 November 2022	272	0	0
15 November 2022	0	0	0
16 November 2022	216	0	0
17 November 2022	177	0	0
18 November 2022	288	48	0.1
19 November 2022	288	8	0.1
20 November 2022	288	0	0
21 November 2022	288	0	0
22 November 2022	288	0	0
23 November 2022	288	0	0
24 November 2022	288	0	0
25 November 2022	67	0	0
26 November 2022	0	0	0
27 November 2022	0	0	0
28 November 2022	0	0	0
29 November 2022	0	0	0
30 November 2022	216	0	0
1 December 2022	128	0	0
2 December 2022	288	55	0.1
3 December 2022	288	127	0.2
4 December 2022	288	172	0.3
5 December 2022	288	6	0.1
6 December 2022	288	12	0.1
7 December 2022	288	6	0.1
8 December 2022	168	0	0
9 December 2022	288	0	0
10 December 2022	288	66	0
11 December 2022	288	69	0
12 December 2022	45	0	0
13 December 2022	139	0	0
14 December 2022	288	0	0
15 December 2022	287	2	0
16 December 2022	170	0	0

Report pollution

Help us prevent harm to human health and the environment. If you notice a strong odour in the area, report it to us.

Our response

Since 2022 we have investigated the impacts of odour from the landfill in Cranbourne and required actions by SBI to ensure compliance at the site. We have issued several remedial notices to SBI since August 2022. We also issued 3 infringement notices to SBI in 2023 and 2024 for various offences which have been paid.

In 2024, we took civil enforcement action against SBI Landfill Pty Ltd (SBI) in the Supreme Court of Victoria. The Court ordered that SBI pay $200,000 by 1 August 2025 for a public project to restore or enhance the environment.

In January 2026, a Funding Agreement was signed with the City of Casey for a restorative justice project. The project will improve habitat for the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot. Council will plant 30,000 Indigenous shrubs and groundcover species across Brookland Greens Bushland Reserve and nearby areas. It will improve habitat quality and supporting local wildlife and the community. Mass planting will begin in mid 2026, with surveys of bandicoot numbers and vegetation conditions to follow in 2027.

Repurpose It purchased the site in December 2025 and there have been no changes to the current permissions at the site. We will continue to monitor this site and respond to any pollution reports received from the community.

December 2025
On 18 December 2025, Repurpose It (RPI) acquire the SBI landfill site in Cranbourne. RPI are an existing waste and resource recovery business with several other sites across Victoria. RPI indicate they will invest significantly in the site. They will focus on improving systems, infrastructure and the long-term potential of the facility. We will continue to regulate this site and check compliance with the licences for the landfill and Waste and Resource Recovery Facility.

November 2025
On 21 November, 2025 we amend SBI’s development licence (DL000111031) to fix an inconsistency between the Contour Plan in the current licence and the Works Approval issued in 2021. We also extend the licence expiration date to 31 December 2045, so it matches the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan. The landfill’s size, height, and approved waste types haven’t changed with this amendment and are the same as we previously approved.
October 2025
On 10 October City of Casey provide an updated project plan for the Brooklands Green Bushland Reserve restorative justice project.
On 8 October we request dust monitoring results from SBI and SBI provide results from August 2025. Our public health experts review this data. The dust levels are found to be compliant with Environmental Reference Standards and pose a low risk to human health. We will continue to request dust data from SBI and provide public health advice as the weather gets warmer.
September 2025
We meet with City of Casey to discuss their proposed restorative justice project.
August 2025
On 27 August we meet with SBI to discuss the status of their EPA permissions for the landfill and waste and resource recovery facility.
SBI pay $200,000 into EPA’s restorative justice account.
July 2025
On 31 July we amend the operating licence for the landfill to include a further landfill cell (Cell 2).
On 24 July we attend the landfill to check compliance and do not identify any non-compliances at the time of the inspection.
June 2025
On 3 June, we revoke improvement notice IMPN-00006050. SBI has installed controls to address arson risk at the landfill and the waste and resource recovery facility.
May 2025
On 6 May and 15 May we request that SBI provide further information for their licence amendment application. We need this information to fully assess their application.
On 26 May, our officers attend the landfill to assess compliance with improvement notice IMPN-00006050. They inspect controls that SBI have put in place to prevent unauthorised access to operations at the site.
April 2025
On 10 April, we contact local businesses in the Cranbourne Racing Complex area regarding manure odour controls. We remind them of their legal obligations and give them compliance advice to reduce any odours.
March 2025
On 3 March, SBI complies with improvement notices IMPN-00008027 and IMPN-00008028. They provide an adaptive dust management plan to EPA. We revoke both the notices.
On 4 March, our officers attend SBI landfill to check compliance with a range of issues including odour, dust and notice compliance.
On 13 March, we receive community reports of odour. Our officers complete odour surveillance in the area and detect manure odour.
On 18 March, our officers conduct proactive odour surveillance in the local area. They detect a slight rotten egg odour and contact SBI landfill staff.
On 19 March, we receive community reports of odour. Our officers attend the area and detect a strong rubbish/garbage type odour and manure odours but are unable to trace them to a source. Our officers attend the landfill and spoke to SBI staff.
On 25 March, SBI apply for an amendment to their Operating Licence OL000220551 add a further landfill cell. Our officers start to assess the application.
February 2025
On 26 February, we receive community reports of odour. Our officers attend the area and detect a manure odour not associated with SBI operations.
On 24 February, our officers conduct proactive odour surveillance in the local area. They detect a slight to moderate rotten egg odour and contact SBI landfill staff.
January 2025
On 24 January, our officers conduct an investigation into noise reports. They do not find any non-compliance with the Act.
December 2024
On 23 December, we decide to revoke the environmental action notices and re-issue them as improvement notices IMPN-00008027 and IMPN-00008028 as an outcome of the internal review. SBI needs to comply with these notices by 21 February 2025.
November 2024
On 25 November, we issue 2 environmental action notices EAN-00007426 and EAN-00007469. These require SBI to submit a dust management program for the landfill and the waste and resource recovery facility.
SBI applies for an internal review of the notices.
August 2024
On 1 August, the Supreme Court of Victoria declares our civil enforcement case against SBI Landfill Pty Ltd settled by consent. SBI must pay $200,000 towards a public project to restore or enhance the environment.
On 10 August, we conduct an aerial survey with a drone to assess daily cover over a landfill cell outside of business hours.
On 13 August 2024, we approve SBI’s application for a development licence exemption for waste and resource recovery facility activities at this site. SBI applied for the development licence exemption on 16 August 2023.

SBI must now obtain an A13a – Waste and resource recovery (large)(opens in a new window) operating licence for the activity before the current exemption expires on 15 August 2025 to continue using their waste and resource recovery facility after that date.
July 2024
On 5 July, SBI notifies us of a fire in the evening of 4 July. We visit the SBI landfill following the notification.
On 9 July, we refuse SBI's application for an authorisation of discharges or disposal to dispose of fire-impacted waste to their landfill.
On 15 July, we issue 2 infringement notices to SBI relating to daily cover breaches identified in March 2024 and June 2024.
June 2024
On 15 June, we conduct an aerial survey of the landfill using a drone. We find evidence SBI did not comply with Condition OL_L07 of their operating licence. This condition requires them to cover waste after each day's operations.
May 2024
On 21 May, we inspect the site to assess compliance with improvement notice IMPN-00006050. We find SBI has not implemented controls to prevent arson.
On 24 May, a third-party company hired by SBI completes a noise compliance report. The company uses noise monitoring to show that SBI operations are below EPA noise limits.
April 2024
On 15 April, we deploy air monitoring equipment to monitor the impact of odour from hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide in the area.
March 2024
On 14 March, authorised officers and City of Casey officers inspect the SBI landfill with a focus on noise and dust impacts reported to us. We assess existing controls and recommend more controls to reduce dust from the site. We advise SBI to conduct independent noise and dust assessments by the end of April.
On 21 March, we conduct an aerial survey of the landfill using a drone. We find evidence SBI did not comply with condition OL_L07 of their operating licence. This condition requires them to cover waste after each day’s operations.
On 26 March, we issue improvement notice IMPN-00006443 to SBI. This requires SBI to install controls on the leachate storage tank at the site by 30 April 2024 to prevent leachate gas escaping to the atmosphere.
February 2024
On 3 February, we receive a notifiable incident report from SBI about a potential failure of odour management infrastructure at the site.
We respond to community pollution reports about rotten-egg odour and confirm SBI landfill is the source.
On 6 February, authorised officers and landfill experts visit the SBI landfill in response to odour reports.
On 7 February, we issue improvement notice IMPN-00006050 to SBI. This requires SBI to implement controls at the site to prevent vandalism and arson.
On 10 February, we conduct an odour survey as part of an ongoing surveillance program. We confirm odours in the surrounding areas.
November 2023
On 2 November, we are notified of a fire at the SBI transfer station at around 11 pm. Fire Rescue Victoria has the fire under control by the time our officers attend with Victoria Police at 12:30 am.
No pollution control equipment was damaged by the fire. Approximately 40 to 50 tonnes of waste was burnt.
On 4 November, we are on site to make sure SBI manage the remaining water and waste so there are no impacts to community and environment.
On 13 November, SBI applies for an Authorisation of Discharges or Disposal to allow disposal of fire impacted waste into their landfill cell.
On 14 November, we refuse SBI’s application for an Authorisation of Discharges or Disposal as the authorisation is not for the purpose of meeting a temporary emergency.
On 25 November, we're notified of another fire at the SBI site. Fire Rescue Victoria has the fire under control and our priority response officers are onsite.
No waste is impacted by the fire. Firewater is collected and removed from the premises.
On 27 November, we receive Waste Tracker(opens in a new window) waste records from SBI demonstrating that the fire-impacted waste from SBI has been disposed offsite to a lawful place.
October 2023
On 20 October, we find SBI has complied with notice to investigate NTI-00005293 so we revoke the notice.
September 2023
On 1 September, we issue a notice to SBI to investigate NTI-00005293. This requires SBI to:
- have an experienced third-party tank inspector integrity test the primary leachate storage tank in line with their RMMP, and
- provide us with the results of the integrity testing.
On 12 September, we issue improvement notice IMPN-00005403 to SBI. This requires SBI to apply for an amendment to their development licence.
August 2023
On 11 August, we receive a submission from SBI for an exemption of a development licence for the waste and resource recovery facility. The submission complies with the requirements of improvement notice IMPN-00004602 so we revoke the notice.
On 30 August, we fine SBI $9,246 after they failed to immediately notify us of equipment failure at the Cranbourne site. We received reports of odour from the community after a temporary seal on a landfill gas extraction well failed. Only after we inspected the site did SBI provide relevant information.
July 2023
On 14 July, we issue 2 information gathering notices (IGN-00003809 and IGN-00004994) to SBI. These require SBI to provide documents about management of waste accepted at both the waste and resource recovery facility and landfill by 31 July 2023. This includes:
- the type of waste received
- weighbridge dockets
- CCTV footage.
June 2023
On 5 June, we issue an amendment to change the wording of a reporting requirement after an internal review of improvement notice IMPN-00004602.
May 2023
On 5 May, we issue improvement notice IMPN-00004602 to SBI. It requires SBI to:
- apply for a development licence for their waste transfer station (or an exemption) by 15 August 2023, and
- immediately begin maintaining incoming and outgoing records for waste received outside their activity plan specified within EPA permit P000300289.
On 22 May, SBI applies for an internal review of improvement notice IMPN-00004602.
March 2023
On 24 March, SBI complies with the requirements of improvement notice IMPN-00003240 so we revoke the notice. The notice required SBI to:
- update the Hotspot Monitoring and Management Plan (HSMMP)
- prevent and manage hotspots in the waste mass at the premises.
February 2023
On 9 February, SBI submits a report to us in response to improvement notice IMPN-00003289. We find that their remedial work doesn't comply with the requirements of the notice.
On 13 February, SBI complies with the requirements of improvement notice IMPN-00003264 so we revoke the notice. The notice required SBI to:
- allow an EPA-appointed auditor to complete an audit of the landfill operations
- ensure compliance with the updated RMMP.
January 2023
On 10 January, SBI submits a report to us in response to improvement notice IMPN-00003354. We find that their remedial work doesn't comply with the requirements of the notice.
December 2022
On 21 December, we issue 2 information gathering notices (IGN-00003809 and IGN-00003749). They require SBI to provide documents about the management of waste accepted at both the waste and resource recovery facility and landfill by 11 January 2023. Information requested includes details of:
- the type of waste and material
- amount accepted
- if it's being stockpiled or disposed of, or used for other purposes onsite
- whether the waste levy has been applied.
On 23 December, SBI requests a one week extension for information gathering notice IGN-00003749 to account for their holiday shutdown period.
On 28 December, we agree to extend the due date of information gathering notice IGN-00003749 by one week. SBI must now provide the information requested by 20 January 2023.
In December, we also publish the results of our air monitoring data from 22 July 2022 to 16 December 2022.
November 2022
On 9 November, SBI requested a week's extension for improvement notice IMPN-00003334 to review their consultant's report before submitting a Leachate Management Plan.
On 10 November, we approve this request and issue a revised improvement notice. SBI must now provide an updated Leachate Management Plan to us by Friday 18 November 2022.
On 18 November, we revoke environmental action notice EAN-00003417 issued on 3 October 2022. We issued this notice when we suspended SBI’s operating licence. It ensured the operator fulfilled their licence obligations while that licence was suspended. SBI's licence suspension was 'stayed' by VCAT on 20 October. This means the obligations of their operating licence apply and the environmental action notice is no longer required.
October 2022
On 3 October, we suspend SBI's landfill operating licence. The landfill cannot operate or accept any waste until 30 January 2023. The associated transfer station is still permitted to operate if no material is moved to the landfill.
We also issue environmental action notice EAN-00003417. This replicates the current conditions of SBI’s operating licence during the period of suspension. It manages the risk to human health and the environment.
SBI is now required to comply with 5 improvement notices, even though their operating licence is suspended.
On 4 October, we charge SBI with breaching section 63(1) of the Environment Protection Act 2017. This charge relates to leaving waste uncovered and failing to comply with condition OL_L7 of their operating licence.
On 10 October, SBI file a merits review challenge of the suspension of its operating licence with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
SBI also files a VCAT application seeking an order to 'stay' our decision to suspend SBI’s operating licence.
On 20 October, SBI’s request to stay the suspension of their operating licence is upheld by VCAT. This means SBI can operate their landfill until the outcome of its merits review challenge to the suspension of its landfill operating licence is decided.
It's anticipated the merits review challenge will be heard by VCAT in April 2023.
September 2022
On 12 September, we issue improvement notice IMPN-00003289. This requires SBI to make sure the current odour control infrastructures and measures are working. This includes:
- the solar spark flare
- landfill gas extraction system
- leachate system
- daily cover.
On 13 September, we revise improvement notice IMPN-00003264 so that the audit of SBI’s landfill operations and risk management and monitoring program (RMMP) are conducted before any changes to the RMMP.
On 21 September, we issue 2 more improvement notices:
- Improvement notice IMP-00003354 requires SBI to fulfil their general environmental duty in relation to the management of surface water and stormwater.
- Improvement notice IMP-00003334 requires SBI to meet the conditions OL_L4.1 of their A05a operating licence.
August 2022
On 5 August, we install additional air monitoring equipment at a golf course near the landfill.
On 7 and 8 August, we identify insufficient daily waste cover that does not comply with SBI's operating licence.
Remedial notice IMPN-00002897 requires SBI to implement measures to capture and treat landfill gas. SBI has started installing a landfill gas management system to capture and reduce odours. SBI must take steps to reduce odours from the site by 24 August.
On 10 August, we issue prohibition notice PN-00003174, stopping SBI from accepting waste until odour issues at the site are properly managed.
On 26 August, we lift the prohibition notice that prevented SBI from receiving waste at its landfill site after:
- on-site inspections
- assessing odour and air quality data collected by EPA and reported by the community.
SBI is able to accept solid inert waste at the landfill site from 8am, Friday 26 August.
On 30 August, we issue a notice of intent to SBI for ongoing compliance issues and offsite odour reports. They must demonstrate why they should not have their licence to operate suspended by Tuesday 13 September 2022.
We also issue improvement notice IMPN-00003264 that requires SBI to meet the conditions OL_L1 and OL_L2 of their A05a operating licence.
On 31 August, we issue improvement notice IMP-00003240. This requires SBI to meet condition OL_L15 of their A05a operating licence.
July 2022
On 20 July, we inspect the site to review what SBI is doing to remedy the issue. We identify additional issues relating to stockpiling of waste in the landfill and procedures for trucks exiting the site.
On 22 July, we install equipment at a residential location near the landfill. The equipment will track hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) – the source of the rotten-egg smell. We also test the surface and leachate bore gas levels.
On 24 July, SBI advises us they have concluded trucking the site’s stagnant water to an off-site location in Dandenong.
SBI confirms equipment is in place to remove stormwater to prevent further pooling at the landfill site.
On 25 July, SBI advises us they are installing additional gas extraction systems to capture and treat odour. The installation work may temporarily cause increased odour impacts to the community between Monday 25 July and Wednesday 3 August.
SBI also advised us they are deploying odour suppressants. They will time the works to minimise the potential for odour impacts on the community.
On 26 July, we analyse the first air monitoring results. The results from 22 to 26 July show most hydrogen sulfide concentrations were too low to be detected by monitoring machines. There was one result of 0.2 ppm measured within a 5-minute period. These levels are not expected to cause long-term adverse health effects.
On 29 and 30 July, we hold information sessions for residents at Mayone-Bulluck Family and Community Centre.
June 2022
On 10 June, we identify issues that led to the source of the odour as:
- stagnant water
- management of daily landfill cover
- blockage in the leachate capture infrastructure
- management of landfill gas extraction.
April 2022
On 28 April, we receive new odour pollution reports and visit the site.
March 2022
On 22 March, we receive community reports of an unpleasant, egg-like smell in the Cranbourne area. We visit the area to identify the source of the odour.

Stay informed

For more information, contact us(opens in a new window) or SBI's Community Consultative Committee.

Updated 10 March 2026