Harmful carcinogens, neurotoxins, PFAS and ultrafine particles are emitted by the hazardous waste landfill site on Taylor’s Road in Dandenong South, yet these emissions are not monitored by the EPA. Rachel asked for an expansion on the types of emissions which the EPA monitors, to ensure air quality for constituents in the vicinity of this site.
Wednesday the 10th of September
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
My constituency question is for the Minister for Environment. My constituent is a resident of Hampton Park. They have raised concerns about the monitoring of emissions at Veolia’s Taylors Road landfill in Dandenong South, a hazardous waste containment site.
While licensed by the EPA, there are concerns that the EPA’s monitoring leaves many harmful emissions unmeasured. In particular, my constituent is concerned that harmful carcinogens, neurotoxins, PFAS and ultrafine particles are all not being monitored, leaving residents with inadequate air quality and putting their health at risk.
So, my constituent asks: will the minister consider expanding the emissions monitored by the EPA at the Taylors Road landfill site in Dandenong South?
Written response received, 13th of October 2025:
The EPA strategically locates air monitoring stations across Victoria, measuring air pollutants with well-established human health exposure levels. The stations monitor key air pollutants set by the National Environment Protection Measure for ambient air as the pollutants to which most Australians are exposed. More information can be found at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/check-air-and-water-quality.
EPA regulates Veolia’s Taylors Road Landfill via its operating licence. This licence imposes strict conditions to prevent and manage environmental and human health impacts from the landfill’s operations. Conditions of the licence can be found at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/public-registers/permissions/OL000070542.
The landfill has undertaken a program of air toxics monitoring which is reported in the site’s operational audits. The monitoring has not detected these substances in the ambient air around the site.
EPA continues to actively regulate the site to protect the health of the community and environment from pollution and waste.
Steve Dimopoulos MP
Member for Oakleigh
Minister for Environment
Related:
> Victoria’s Burning Problem – Waste to Energy – Rachel Payne
> Waste incineration and landfill targets – Rachel Payne
> Waste-to-Energy inquiry debate sparked – Rachel Payne
> Inquiry into Waste-to-Energy passed! – Rachel Payne
> Hampton Park waste transfer station proposal ‘a load of rubbish’ – Rachel Payne
> Waste-to-energy could cause more problems than it solves – Rachel Payne
