Major emergencies involving hazardous materials include large chemical fires in populated areas causing the release of toxic plumes, for example, a major hazard facility or waste management facility.

The loss-of-containment of materials that are in storage or being transported could also lead to a large explosion or release of toxic pollutants to the environment.

Examples of hazardous material incidents in Victoria include:

  • 2012 - Port of Portland 600T coal tar pitch spill
  • 2012 - Wangaratta Nuplex chemical incident caused by an uncontrolled chemical reaction in a reactor vessel
  • 2015 - Somerton tip fire occurred at a private refuse facility operated by Ecotec Solutions
  • 2017 - Coolaroo SKM recycling plant fire
  • 2019 - Campbellfield Bradbury Industrial Services hazardous waste storage facility fire

A parliamentary inquiry into recycling and waste management was established in March 2019 to inquire into the issue of the devastating industrial fires that have taken place as a result of the illegal or inappropriate stockpiling of dangerous chemicals.

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2023 Reducing the illegal disposal of asbestos (External link) An examination of whether DEECA, EPA, Parks Victoria, Sustainability Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria have effective measures in place to reduce the illegal disposal of asbestos. The report concluded that the measures in place to reduce illegal asbestos disposal are not coordinated across agencies, and consequently made 4 recommendations to EPA and 3 recommendations to WorkSafe. Victorian Auditor-General's Office
2023 Implementation of government commitments in response to the Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville - Progress Report - 2022 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government’s progress in implementing commitments made in response to the Fiskville Inquiry, the report found two of the five remaining commitments are now complete and that the other three remain in progress. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2022 Australian Government Implementation of the National Waste Policy Action Plan (External link) An assessment of the effectiveness of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's implementation of the National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019. The audit made five recommendations to improve the department’s risk management processes; management of shared risks; performance monitoring and evaluation; and clarity over action scope or deliverables. Australian National Audit Office
2022 Implementation of government commitments in response to the Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville - Progress Report - 2021 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government’s progress in implementing commitments made in response to the Fiskville Inquiry, the report found one commitment is now complete and the other five remain in progress and will be reported on in the 2022 progress report. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2021 Implementation of government commitments in response to the Inquiry into the CFA Training College - Progress Report – 2020 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government’s progress in implementation of commitments made in response to the Fiskville Inquiry, the report noted the completion of some commitments related to occupational health and safety and environmental compliance at CFA’s training centres, and satisfactory progress made towards remaining commitments. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2020 Report into the West Footscray Industrial Fire (August 2018) (External link) A review examining the broad consequences of the 30 August 2018 West Footscray industrial fire incident, and identification of improvements in collaborative response to similar incidents since. The report makes recommendations towards improvement of the emergency management arrangements. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2019 Implementation of government commitments in response to the Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville - Progress Report - 2019 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government’s implementation of commitments made in response to the Fiskville Inquiry. The Inquiry concluded poor safety practices at Fiskville and highlighted delays by agencies and regulators in preventing, responding to and managing the potential contamination of the site. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2019 Implementation of government commitments in response to the Inquiry into the CFA Training College at Fiskville - Progress Report - 2018 (External link) An assessment of the Victorian Government's progress during 2017-18 towards the commitments made in response to the Inquiry, highlighting key achievements: work plan to strengthen firefighter health, environment and wellbeing, research into the management of potential impacts of chemicals found and replacing infrastructure at Fiskville. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2019 Inquiry into Recycling and Waste Management - final report (External link) An inquiry initiated in response to the waste crisis that unfolded in the state in April 2019. The report provides an overview of the Victorian recycling and waste management system, particularly in the wake of changes to the export markets and the impact these changes have had on participants in the Victorian industry and on the Victorian community. Parliament of Victoria
2019 Inquiry into Recycling and Waste Management - interim report (External link) An interim report focussing on three major fires relating to the waste and resource recovery system in Victoria since 2017; Coolaroo in 2017 and Campbellfield in 2018 related to over-stocking of recyclable and chemical waste, and West Footscray in 2018 related to illegal stockpiling of industrial and chemical waste. Parliament of Victoria