Background
Cleanaway Solid Waste Pty Ltd (Cleanaway) holds licence L8904/2015/1 under Part V Division 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) for the Banksia Road Putrescible Landfill facility (landfill) located on Banksia Road, Crooked Brook. The premises is licenced as a Class III putrescible landfill, liquid waste facility and to receive tailings for discharge into a dedicated containment cell. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has responsibility under Part V Division 3 of the EP Act for the environmental regulation of prescribed premises.
DWER conducts assessments in accordance with its Regulatory Framework and follows a risk-based approach to determining the outcome of applications. This process involves the identification of potential emissions sources, pathways, and receptors relevant to the proposed activities at a premises and an assessment of the risks of identified emissions, with consideration of the applicant’s proposed controls and separation distances to sensitive receptors.
An overview of recently issued approvals and amendments to existing approvals for the premises are set out in the licence. A copy of all Decision Reports and Amendment Reports, are also available on DWER's website.
What is happening now
Show moreAll applications submitted to DWER for assessment, for this premises, are advertised for public comment on DWER’s website. Interested parties can subscribe and receive email updates on new licences and works approval assessments that are available for public comment. Comments made by the public during the advertising period are considered by DWER when deciding the outcome of an application.
All determinations made on applications will be also advertised on DWER’s website and will be available for public appeal.
DWER will continue to assess applications from Cleanaway on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the community and relevant regulatory stakeholders.
Part of DWER’s role is to monitor compliance using tools such as inspections, reviews, audits, community reports and complaints, and to review information provided or collected from other regulatory authorities. If offences are committed, DWER will take appropriate action in accordance with its Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
The last inspection of Cleanaway was undertaken on 26 March 2025. The inspection report is being finalised, however no significant non-compliances with the operating licence were identified.
Groundwater data
Cleanaway is required to submit a groundwater monitoring report annually under Licence conditions. The most recent groundwater monitoring report was submitted to DWER on 27 March 2024.
DWER conducts reviews of annual groundwater monitoring report submissions to determine whether any impacts to groundwater underlying the premises are occurring because of premises operations.
Results from DWER’s review of the 2024 groundwater monitoring report indicate that all water quality parameter concentrations were consistent with previous years and do not show that landfill operations have impacted the underlying aquifer. DWER will continue to review annual groundwater monitoring report submissions from Cleanaway to ensure premises operations continue in a manner which does not cause impacts to groundwater.
Groundwater monitoring reports for the landfill dating back to 2016 are also made publicly available by Cleanaway and are published on its website.
PFAS waste acceptance
The landfill was authorised to accept Special Waste Type 3 (PFAS contaminated wastes) for disposal to the landfill cells under an amendment application which was granted on 23 April 2025. The amendment is subject to a 21-day public appeal period from the date of publication.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been widely used around the world for many decades. PFAS are highly persistent and resistant to physical, chemical, and biological degradation. As such, most waste facilities accept and process materials that may contain low levels of PFAS. As a result of their widespread use, PFAS are commonly present at low levels in most developed areas and can bioaccumulate.
Landfill cells at the premises have been constructed to meet Class III waste specifications, which means they are lined with high density polyethylene plastic (i.e. have a physical barrier) and have a leachate collection system. The amendment application gave authority to Cleanaway to dispose of PFAS contaminated waste at levels that are suitable for disposal to Class III landfill cells, as defined in the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan 3.0 (PFAS NEMP).
Groundwater monitoring undertaken at the landfill under Licence conditions has historically required a suite of PFAS contaminated wastes to be monitored for. The requirement for the monitoring of PFAS in groundwater has been carried forward onto the revised licence. Results from DWER’s review of the 2024 groundwater monitoring report indicate that PFAS concentrations in groundwater are reflective of ambient background concentrations and are not exceeding any guidelines values as outlined in the PFAS NEMP.
DWER will continue to review annual groundwater monitoring report submissions from Cleanaway to ensure the acceptance of PFAS contaminated wastes do not cause impacts to groundwater.
More information
Show moreThe department will update this page as new information comes to hand and approvals evolve.
If you have any questions related to the Banksia Road Putrescible Landfill, please email info@dwer.wa.gov.au and quote L8904/2015/1.
Complaints relating to premises activities and emissions can be made to DWER’s 24-hour Pollution Watch Hotline on 1300 784 782 or you can submit a report online.
Submit a report to Environment WAtch
Show moreWhen you submit a report to Environment WAtch, you will receive a response from us acknowledging your submission. We may contact you for further information.
Not all matters reported to Environment WAtch are managed by the department. For reports that relate to another local government or other State or Australian Government agency, we will forward the report to the relevant authority. Please note you may remain anonymous.
You can call our Environment WAtch hotline on 1300 784 782 or use the form below to submit your report.
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