EPA Victoria today announced it has started civil proceedings against Veolia in the Supreme Court, alleginga range ofseriousnon-compliances with Victoria's environment protection laws.
Odour emissions from Veolia's landfill at Hallam Road, Hampton Park have been a persistent problem impacting local community and the environment.
While EPA maintains regulatory oversight of the site, conducting regular inspections, issuing remedial notices and tracking Veolia's management of leachate and landfill gas, EPA believes Veolia has failed to take all reasonably practicable measures to minimise risks from their activity and prevent emissions of odour beyond the landfill.
Using powers under the Environment Protection Act 2017 that came into effect in July 2021, EPA is seeking civil remedies against the company. This latest action is an escalation of ongoing regulatory action against the company.
EPA alleges the companydid notcomply withthe requirements of its operating licence andfailed tomeet its general environmental duty, due to prolongedimpactsodour from its landfill on local residents.
EPA continues to actively ensure regulatory compliance with Victoria's environment protection laws to protect the health of our community and environment from pollution and waste.
"EPA has been acting for the community for several years, requiring Veolia to better manage the source of the odours from its Hallam Road landfill, Southern Metropolitan Melbourne Regional Manager Bianca Sigismundi said.
"Despite that, we believe Veolia has failed to comply so far as reasonably practicable, and odour remains an ongoing issue. EPA will always use all its regulatory powers to address non-compliance that can impact human health and the environment."
