Sunbury tenant hit with big fines over waste burning

EPA Victoria has fined the occupier of a Sunbury property for the second time in six months for illegally burning industrial waste.

Paul Attwell’s company Active Farming Pty Ltd has now been fined a total of $16,280 for two separate offences.

The latest fine came after EPA officers conducting a compliance inspection at the company’s Riddell Rd property in February this year discovered smouldering barrels containing ash from burnt cardboard and plastic.

The first fine was in October 2025, when officers discovered burning construction and demolition waste at the site.

“Waste burning creates an unacceptable risk to air quality,” North Metropolitan Regional Manager Steve Riley said.

“We will continue to monitor this site to ensure this operator is held to account, and we remind Victorians that all waste needs to be disposed of at a properly licensed facility.

“Burning industrial waste – no matter how big or small the burn – is illegal. If you do the wrong thing, we will catch you and we will not hesitate to take strong action.”

In 2025, Active Farming Pty Ltd was trucking in industrial waste as well as soil to the Riddell Rd property, which had been causing concern in the community.

EPA is working closely with Hume City Council to regulate the impacts from the site. EPA is aware that following action by Hume City Council, VCAT ordered the activity at the site to cease immediately.

You can read more at Hume Council’s statement about the VCAT decision(opens in a new window).

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

The Victorian Government is cracking down on illegal dumping and holding those responsible to account through its $21.5 million package to bolster the Illegal Dumping Taskforce:

• $13 million goes to the Illegal Dumping Taskforce to lead the taskforce and deliver a range of detection, compliance, enforcement and deterrent activities.

• $8.5 million for the Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program, providing extra financial support for councils and public land managers to clean up illegally dumped waste, administered by DEECA.

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