General News
8 May, 2026
Company fined over Gnotuk spill
A SPILL of blood and animal residue from a truck on the Princes Highway near Camperdown has cost a Moonee Ponds transport company a $4070 fine from Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.
The incident took place in Gnotuk on February 21 and involved animal by-products including tissue, blood and processing residues.
The material had been collected from a Laverton North animal rendering facility and was on its way to a composting facility in Camperdown.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) firefighters responded to clear away the smelly mess and found the spill was spread 150 metres along the turning lane of the Princes Highway, approximately 500 metres from Lake Gnotuk.
EPA south west regional manager Martha-Rose Loughnane said the incident left the small community with a strong odour and a risk to nearby waterways.
“Animal waste is reportable priority waste under Victoria’s environmental laws because it poses a risk to human health and the environment,” she said.
“It can contaminate soil, drains and waterways, produce strong odours and attract flies and vermin.”
EPA has fined the transport company Villamanor Pty Ltd (trading as J&M Zammit Transport) with the deposit of dangerous litter, a breach of the Environment Protection Act 2017.
“EPA expects anyone transporting waste to take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent spills and to respond promptly and effectively if an incident occurs,” Ms Loughnane said.
“It’s their legal responsibility under the General Environmental Duty.”
EPA is also looking into community concerns regarding odour and possible other spills in the Camperdown area.
“We’d like to hear from anyone with information about pollution or potential non-compliance with environmental regulations, so it can be properly investigated,” Ms Loughnane said.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution.