Builders fined over site waste in Geelong, Lara

THREE builders have been fined for industrial littering in Geelong and Lara, following a sweep of local construction sites.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria issued fines of $2,032 to builders linked to Luxton Homes and Aplace in Armstrong Creek, and Boutique Homes in Lara, after officers identified unsecured building waste and materials escaping from sites and skip bins.

The three were the only operators penalised among 20 sites inspected.

The enforcement action comes amid a sharp rise in dumping across the region. In the 2024-25 financial year, the City of Greater Geelong received more than 6,600 requests to move dumped rubbish across the region.

Since July 2024, more than 4,000 additional requests have been made, continuing a pattern of increases yearly since 2021.

Cleanup efforts are estimated to cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

Hazardous materials, including asbestos, are referred to EPA Victoria, which shares responsibility with councils for enforcement.

Anthony Basford, executive director of city life, said city staff had been working closely with the EPA, including joint site inspections, to improve compliance.

“Industrial littering is completely unacceptable. When the EPA takes action like this, it sends a strong message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated, and we fully support action that holds offenders responsible,” Basford said.

“Community reports also play an important role. This financial year we have already received around 4,500 dumped rubbish requests.

“By letting us know when dumping occurs, we can respond quickly, protect our city and investigate evidence to ensure those doing the wrong thing are caught.”

The city’s safety, graffiti and regulation portfolio chair, Cr Chris Burson, said it was disappointing to see multiple sites in the region attract fines.

“Illegal dumping in any form is a despicable act – it harms the environment, creates safety risks and leaves ratepayers to foot the bill for someone else’s mess. Our community deserves better,” Cr Burson said.

“Dumped rubbish is a growing problem burdening councils nationwide. City officers are left to clean up these messes that divert council resources from being better spent on things that really matter to our community.”

EPA Southwest regional manager Martha-Rose Loughnane said pollution leaving building sites can spread far beyond the construction zone.

“Waste paper, packaging and polystyrene scraps that escape a construction site can easily be taken by the wind or rain into nearby parks, reserves and residential areas,” Loughnane said.

“Sediment, paint, wastewater and other liquids entering gutters and drains don’t just vanish, they will wind up in rivers, wetlands and the ocean.”

“It is the responsibility of every builder, contractor or tradie to make sure waste leaves the site in a bin or on a truck and doesn’t wind up scattered across the landscape.”