A major environmental restoration project in Cranbourne will deliver new habitat for the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot. This project is funded by a $200,000 Supreme Court penalty imposed on a local landfill operator following EPA Victoria enforcement action.
EPA selected a Casey Council project that will plant 30,000 indigenous shrubs and groundcover species across Brookland Greens Bushland Reserve and nearby open space, improving habitat quality and supporting local wildlife and the community.
The Court ordered SBI Landfill Pty Ltd to fund the works after EPA charged the company over persistent odour issues from its Ballarto Road landfill, which affected surrounding residential areas.
Mass planting will begin in mid‑2026, with surveys of bandicoot numbers and vegetation conditions to follow in 2027.
EPA South Metropolitan Regional Manager Viranga Abeywickrema said it’s great to see a court penalty go back into the community that was impacted.
“By planting more vegetation, it not only helps support the bandicoot population, but it will also give several environmental and human health benefits. Better groundcover and shrubs will improve soil and water quality, help with dust control and create a diverse open space for Cranbourne residents,” Mr Abeywickrema said.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen said the project would bring the community together to protect a threatened species.
“We’ll be encouraging residents to report bandicoot sightings, plant suitable species in their gardens, and adopt responsible pet ownership,” Cr Koomen said.
“Educational signage, volunteer planting days, Bandicoot bungalow building, and a guided walk through Brookland Greens Bushland Reserve will all help raise awareness and support for this important work.”
“This is a great outcome, turning a penalty for an environmental offence into a project that benefits both the environment and the community,” he said.