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4 AUGUST, 2026

Landfill closed By Tara Murray and Sebastian Conidi Landfi ll operations at Sunshine landfi ll are set to permanently cease after the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria revoked Barro’s operation licence. The EPA announced its decision on Monday 27 July . However, Barro Group said the decision to cease operations was voluntary and was driven by the community’s message that it doesn’t want operations to continue at the landfi ll. In a statement, Barro Group said it notified the EPA on 3 April that it had decided to voluntarily cease accepting waste on a permanent basis at the landfi ll and wished to voluntarily surrender its operating licence for the landfi ll. Underground landfi ll fi res have been burning since 2019, with residents , Brimbank council and local MPs calling for the site’s closure for a number of years. In December, the EPA took strong regulatory action and notified the duty holder of its intention to suspend the licence because it believed Barro Group was unable to effectively manage risks to the community arising from landfi ll operations at the site. The EPA said through this process, the Barro Group failed to demonstrate it could effectively manage the risks to the community from ongoing landfi ll operations and did not respond to the notice of intention to suspend. “Instead, Barro Group conceded its right to continue the landfi ll operations and EPA has revoked its operating licence,” the EPA said. “[Monday’s] outcome is a direct result of the strong regulatory action EPA commenced in December 2025 and as a result, the landfi ll will never reopen.” The EPA said Barro Group must continue to extinguish the fi nal hotspot and is responsible for the total remediation of the site. It is expected to take at least five years to extinguish the remaining hotspot and remediate the landfi ll. EPA chief executive Joss Crawford said this decision gives community certainty. “EPA won’t stop here, our strong regulation of the site will continue. Barro Group do not get to walk away from the

Barro Group do not get to walk away from the site and leave taxpayers to foot the bill - Joss Crawford

Diane Capelli, Noelene Wattie, Siovhon Brister and Nicole Power were delighted to hear that the landfill would be permanently closed. (Damjan Janevski) 568522_03

site and leave taxpayers to foot the bill. We have directed them to fully remediate the landfi ll site,” she said. “We know local communities have been frustrated and understand the toll the landfi ll has taken on community members. The community can now take comfort in knowing that Barro Group will never again operate a landfi ll at the Kealba site. “We look forward to the day the hotspot is out, and the landfi ll is remediated.” Barro Group managing director Raymond Barro said the company took its responsibilities to all the communities in which it operates extremely seriously. “Barro Group is a proud member of the

Sunshine community where we have been operating for more than 50 years,” he said. “Having a strong relationship with our neighbours, the broader community, the Brimbank City Council and the EPA is extremely important to us. “Last year we conducted a large community survey which left us in no doubt our surrounding neighbours and the local community in general did not want the landfi ll to continue operations. “Th is is an important decision for us and we hope the community see it for what it is – a show of good faith in rebuilding our relationship with our neighbours, the community and stakeholders.”

Barro has stated it will continue to work closely with EPA and Brimbank council in regards to remediation and ultimate closure of the landfi ll operation. Barro Group said it intends to continue operating its concrete batching plant and resume operation of its Concrete and Rock Recycling Facility (CRF) at its Sunshine site subject to necessary permissions being obtained from the EPA. Residents have welcomed the EPA’s decision, while Brimbank council described it as a “significant win” for the community. More coverage: Page 4.

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