Thursday, 4 June 2026

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:00): (1341) My question is to the Minister for Environment. Minister, there is a black market waste disposal operation on a property on Summerhill Road in Wollert involving the burning of large quantities of building waste. The EPA is reported to be investigating in relation to this site, and I am also aware of similar sites in Sunbury and Geelong. High state government waste levies have been cited by locals and businesses as a factor attracting small operators to illegal disposal, with similar operations emerging across Melbourne’s fringe and regional areas. Can the minister advise whether he has been briefed on the EPA’s investigation into this matter and what broader action the government is taking to detect and prosecute illegal waste burning operations across Victoria?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:01): I thank Mr Mulholland for his question. It is a really important question, giving me the opportunity to talk about how our government is cracking down on rogue operators that are dumping waste illegally. That is why we have set up the illegal dumping taskforce, which is led by the EPA in partnership with the conservation regulator, with DEECA and with Parks Victoria. Over $21.5 million has been invested into tackling illegal waste, and the taskforce is taking strong enforcement action. This financial year alone, Mr Mulholland, we have taken 50 planned inspections and issued 56 compliance advices and six infringement notices. We are boosting compliance enforcement by recruiting eight additional specialists to work in the field. So we are bolstering this space, additional investments are being made, and we will continue to do that work. This builds on the record of the Allan Labor government. The Environment Protection Act 2017 was the strongest environmental protection legislation our state has seen in 50 years. Only Labor will do this important work.

In particular, on the site in Wollert that you have discussed in this chamber before, I have been briefed. I have received a confidential brief from my department in relation to that, and I can update the house that I understand that those investigations are underway, including with Victoria Police and CFA, and some of that may lead to prosecutorial action. In relation to that, because it is an ongoing investigation, I am limited in what I can share, because I do not want to obviously prejudice the court processes that may be proceeded. But in relation to that active investigation, I want to thank everyone that is involved, in particular Victoria Police as well as the EPA.

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:02): Minister, in all of your portfolio areas, the black market is becoming entrenched due to delayed government action. You yourself have acknowledged that the federal government’s huge tobacco excise has clearly led to the creation of this illegal market and has made an illegal product a lot cheaper. Does the government acknowledge that its decision to increase the waste levies in the 2023–24 budget has a direct correlation with this environmental crisis being inflicted on the growth areas of Melbourne?

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:03): I thank Mr Mulholland for his supplementary question. I think, Mr Mulholland, that it is important not to conflate issues, and the issues that are surrounding what is happening in tobacco are quite different to what is happening with illegal dumping – they are very different crimes. But what I will say is that the waste levy is an important price signal that encourages businesses and householders to reduce waste and recycle more. As we focus on the circular economy – I know those across the chamber are not focused on the circular economy and they want to continue to increase waste – we want to reduce waste. We want people to reuse materials. The right response to waste crime is not to reduce the incentive to recycle, it is to crack down on the criminals doing the dumping. And that is exactly what we are doing with the illegal dumping taskforce that we have set up.