Cranbourne-based SBI Group, operator of the SBI landfill, has been acquired by resource recovery and waste management company Repurpose It amid a permit amendment.
The acquisition was announced in mid-December, before Christmas.
Repurpose It, owned by investor Palisade Impact, is a Melbourne-based business that works across construction, organics, and resource recovery.
“Our goal for the Cranbourne site is to increase material recovery, build a best-practice precinct, and continue leading Victoria’s shift to a circular economy,” a spokesperson of Repurpose It said.
“Over the coming years, we will be investing in modernising infrastructure and innovation to enhance the site’s capability, reduce environmental impact, and build on the foundations established by the previous operators.”
The transformation is also expected to generate local employment, provide ongoing community engagement and education initiatives, and help reduce pressure on Victoria’s existing recovery network, according to the company’s media release.
The spokesperson said as a result of the acquisition, the owners and directors of SBI Group had moved on.
“Repurpose It will retain all other members of the original management team and current staff, ensuring continuity and leveraging their experience,” they said.
“Additionally, the site will benefit from the expertise of Repurpose It’s current staff, who will provide further support to the site.”
At the moment, SBI landfill has a permit amendment before the Casey Council. The amendment was advertised in March 2024, and no decision has been made so far.
The spokesperson of Repurpose It said the company is undertaking a full review of all existing permits and amendments with the City of Casey and will work closely with the council to ensure requirements are met.
SBI Group initially lodged the amendments to respond to the council’s Planning Contravention Notice, which was said to have found that “some works and operations on site are not consistent with the current endorsed plans and that certain documents for endorsement have not been prepared to the council’s satisfaction”.
Star News reported back then that the landfill’s surrounding communities were concerned about some parts of the amendment, which they claimed would lead to increased traffic, dust, and diversion of stormwater to the nearby residential areas.
On Thursday 11 December, Casey Council held an information-based meeting to brief objectors on the status of the amendment.
The aim of the meeting was to clarify what the council can and cannot control, outline next steps, and explain how the community can stay involved.
Council’s relevant planning officer explained that the main goal of the amendment is to “regularise” the permit, which means aligning approved documents with what is happening on the ground, creating a clear, enforceable set of approved plans, and addressing long-standing omissions and inconsistencies dating back to the original 2015 state-issued permit.
The amendment application does not include a request to expand the Group’s current landfilling activities.
According to the planning officer, SBI Group submitted a revised information package in November 2025, and the Council is still reviewing it and may seek further clarification.
Once satisfied, the application will be re-advertised to the community.
Previous objectors do not need to re-object, but can lodge additional submissions.
The officer also acknowledged the objectors’ concerns, including the history of the site compliance. However, she pointed out that many of the off-site impact concerns relate to the responsibilities of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.
Casey Council released a statement after the acquisition, saying that Council remains committed to ensuring compliance with relevant planning and environmental requirements, and to keep the community informed.
“The implications of this change in operations related to the current planning application, the longstanding operational and compliance matters, and Council’s involvement are yet to be clarified,” it states.
“Council Officers will seek to meet with Repurpose It in early 2026.”
SBI landfill triggered a large number of offensive odour reports from the community beginning in March 2022, largely driven by factors such as insufficient cover over waste, blockages in leachate infrastructure, poor landfill gas management, and excessive water entering buried waste, which produced odorous gases like hydrogen sulphide with a rotten egg smell.
Following EPA action, including remedial notices and regulatory oversight, SBI installed improved gas capture and treatment systems.
The number of offensive odour reports has since reduced significantly, with gases now detected at lower levels that EPA considers unlikely to cause long-term harm.
The SBI landfill was also the subject of EPA civil enforcement proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria over odour impacts, which were settled in 2024 with the operator required to fund environmental remediation at a cost of $200,000 and improve compliance practices.
Given the history of compliance concerns at the SBI landfill under the previous owner, Star News asked Repurpose It what emissions, air quality and environmental monitoring measures would be implemented during the transformation years.
The spokesperson responded that minimising environmental impact is a key priority for them, and the site would continue to operate under EPA regulations.
“Repurpose It is committed to maintaining strong environmental compliance throughout the transition, which is underpinned by a culture of ongoing improvement,” they said.
“Using the combined knowledge and experience of the original site management team and Repurpose It’s environmental and technical team, our goal is to increase material recovery and minimise harm from pollution and waste.
“This will be achieved through improved systems, infrastructure upgrades, and innovative site management, including the introduction of the best available techniques and technology and improving the operational standards over time.”
The spokesperson also said, as part of the site transition, early community engagement would include working with local schools and community groups, alongside the delivery of sustainability and education programs that are already a core part of our operations.
“Repurpose It has a proven track record of positive community engagement and practical local involvement,” they said.
Speaking of the acquisition of the Cranbourne site in the media release, founder and CEO George Hatzimanolis said it is a strategic and values-aligned step forward for Repurpose It.
“Victoria urgently needs scalable recovery infrastructure, and this site gives us a rare opportunity to deliver it,” he said.
“We’ll be investing significantly to improve environmental performance, increase recovery, and build lasting partnerships with the local community.
“We know this site has been part of the local landscape for a long time, and we respect the work that’s gone into getting it here. Our commitment now is to improve, engage and create something the whole community can be proud of.”
