A vacant section of land in Truganina is being used as an illegal dumping site, with a local resident warning the rubbish pile-up could pose a serious safety risk during hot, dry weather.
Suhail Mohammed says he and other community members want stronger attention on repeated dumping at the corner of Forsyth Road and Dohertys Road.
“I am part of a local WhatsApp group and one of the guys sent it in, so I visited the site myself and took some pictures,” Mr Mohammed said.
“Dumping on any scale is not good – nobody likes it.”
Mr Mohammed says he believes a mix of residents and trades people may be responsible, though this has not been confirmed by Environment Protection Authority Victoria.
He also warns the dumped material could become dangerous if flammable liquids or fire-prone waste is left in dry grass close to nearby housing.
“It is very hot at the moment and the grass is dry over there, so if there is a fire and chemicals in the area, it could be very dangerous to people on account of its proximity to residential areas,” he said.
“I want this to bring to public notice, for people to understand– and as a warning to offenders– that this a serious environmental risk and a potential hazard.
“It’s because the dumping consists of combustible materials like nylon and plastics.”
Mr Mohammed urges locals to keep watch and report the dumping when they can.
“I would tell offenders not to do it, because either way you are hurting yourself and others by harming the environment.
“Also, try and keep an eye on who is doing it so we can help minimise it, even if we cannot eradicate it.”
Illegal dumping remains a significant and ongoing issue across the wider Werribee and Wyndham region, costing the community millions of dollars each year in clean-up expenses.
Wyndham City Council and the EPA say they are working to address the problem through public education campaigns, enforcement action and expanded legal disposal options.
In June 2025, Wyndham City fined two people $1,186 each after household items were dumped beside donation bins at the Arndell Community Centre car park in Truganina, behind clearly marked “No Dumping” signs.
Residents living along the housing growth corridor between Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne’s western fringe say illegal dumping has reached “epidemic proportions,” with rapid development expected to increase pressure on waste management in coming decades.
The Victorian government plans to deliver more than two million new homes by 2051, including a near doubling of housing across Melbourne’s west.
Earthmoving contractor Charlie Jarratt says he is concerned the construction surge could worsen the issue, warning that without stronger enforcement and disposal options, expanding suburbs risk becoming dumping grounds.
Illegal dumping is also continuing to become a be a growing issue across Wyndham — particularly in new housing estates, vacant blocks and industrial areas — and the Allan Labor Government is investing $21.5 million to tackle the problem.
