Wandering waste at Wendouree finds a fine

A Wendouree waste and recycling company has been fined more than $2,000 over industrial litter that escaped onto neighbouring land.

Vic Waste Solutions Pty Ltd runs a facility in Hammer Court, Wendouree, where members of the public reported seeing waste gathered at the perimeter fence and scattered onto the neighbouring property.

EPA officers inspecting the site on 27 March 2026 found the mess included plastic food packaging, loose shredded mattress foam and polystyrene foam that had not been adequately contained.

The company has been fined $2,035 for unlawfully depositing waste, an offence under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

EPA Southwest Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane says businesses operating under an EPA Permission to accept and process waste owe a responsibility to their customers and the wider community.

“Everyone who pays a company for waste disposal has the right to expect the waste will be managed responsibly and won’t contribute to environmental harm,” Ms Loughnane said.

“That responsibility is built into the EPA Permission that allows the company to operate, and we have the power to take enforcement action when a business fails to meet its obligations under the law," 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

Illegal dumping of waste is a serious crime.

The Victorian Government has established a dedicated EPA‑led taskforce, working in partnership with DEECA and the Conservation Regulator, to target illegal dumping on public land.

The taskforce works closely with councils, brings together investigative expertise, focuses on high‑risk locations, engages with industries most at risk of offending, and strengthens enforcement to prevent illegal dumping and catch offenders.

For more information go to epa.vic.gov.au/illegal-waste-dumping-taskforce(opens in a new window)