by Violet Li
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) was called to a heavy equipment fire at the Stevensons Brothers Industries (SBI) landfill in Cranbourne at 6.30am on 25 November.
The fire appeared to be a traxcavator oil fire, and five vehicles from CFA were dispatched to the scene.
The incident was brought under control just after 7am and CFA declared it safe just before 8am.
Victoria Police was called in due to suspicious circumstances and has been investigating the cause of the fire.
EPA also attended the scene.
This has been the third fire incident at Cranbourne SBI landfill in recent years.
The first one occurred on 14 February 2022, and the second one was detected around 10pm Thursday 2 November, 2023.
Police investigations have been continuing with the second fire, but it was advised the cause pointed to arson.
During the last EPA information session on 13 November, one local resident pointed out the security concerns of the landfill.
An EPA spokesperson responded that they were aware that most of the frontage to Ballarto Road had not fenced, making it easy access for people who wanted to do the wrong thing.
“EPA had recommendations regarding securing sites with fencing,” the spokesperson said.
They said fencing would have implications on town planning and a planning amendment would be required.
In response to the latest fire, the spokesperson said it would continue to regulate the site to ensure risks to the environment and human health are being appropriately managed and SBI was able to manage odour issues from the Cranbourne site.
The history of recent fires at the site is something SBI is expected to review as part of its ongoing assessment of risks.
“It should respond to any increased risk of fires that could cause harm, by taking further action to reduce them as far as reasonably practicable and comply with the General Environmental Duty (GED).”
SBI has been contacted by Star News.
