Smell off the back of a truck, at Gnotuk

A spill of blood and animal residue from a truck on the Princes Highway near Camperdown has cost a Moonee Ponds transport company a $4,070 fine from EPA Victoria.

The incident took place at Gnotuk on 21 February 2026 and involved animal by products including tissue, blood and processing residues.

The material had been collected from a Laverton North animal rendering facility and was on its way to a composting facility in Camperdown.

CFA firefighters responded to clear away the smelly mess and found the spill was spread 150m along the turning lane of the Princes Hwy, approximately 500 metres from Lake Gnotuk.

EPA Southwest Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane says the incident left the small community with a strong odour and a risk to nearby waterways.

“Animal waste is Reportable Priority Waste under Victoria’s environmental laws because it poses a risk to human health and the environment. It can contaminate soil, drains and waterways, produce strong odours, and attract flies and vermin,” Ms Loughnane said.

EPA has fined the transport company Villamanor Pty Ltd (trading as J&M Zammit Transport) with the deposit of dangerous litter, a breach of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

“EPA expects anyone transporting waste to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent spills and to respond promptly and effectively if an incident occurs. It’s their legal responsibility under the General Environmental Duty,” Ms Loughnane said.

EPA is also looking into community concerns regarding odour and possible other spills in the Camperdown area.

“We’d like to hear from anyone with information about pollution or potential non-compliance with environmental regulations, so it can be properly investigated,” she said.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.

Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution