Melbourne Regional Landfill (MRL) Central

Creating additional capacity for Victoria’s waste needs

Submit an enquiry:

If you have a question, would like more information, or would like to provide feedback about the proposed Melbourne Regional Landfill Central, please complete the form below.

A member of the project team will respond as soon as possible.

General enquiries

Securing Victoria’s landfill capacity

Melbourne Regional Landfill (MRL) is the largest landfill in Victoria. The facility is a critical piece of waste infrastructure that services 21 out of 26 metropolitan councils, including those in Melbourne’s growing western corridor.

It has operated since the late 1990s, safely filling and rehabilitating the quarry voids left from the operations of Deer Park Quarry.

The site spans more than 200 hectares and is one of Cleanaway’s largest assets nationally.

Planning for future waste infrastructure can take many years, so planning at MRL needs to begin now.

About the proposal

Cleanaway is proposing to fill the central quarry voids within the existing operational boundaries of Riding Boundary Road (north), Middle Road (south), Hopkins Road (west) and Christies Road (east). The proposal will not bring landfill operations any closer to surrounding residential communities.

The site currently consists of two areas, MRL East and MRL West, which contain active and completed landfill cells. Between them sits MRL Central, which is nearing the end of its operational life as a quarry. Infilling this area would allow MRL to continue safely receiving residual waste until around early 2050s.

The proposal is being informed by technical specialists across engineering, environmental management, traffic, hydrology, ecology, cultural heritage and other relevant experts.

Cleanaway intends to lodge a planning permit application in December 2026 and will also apply to EPA Victoria for a development licence. Both applications will be independently assessed through Victoria's planning and environmental regulatory processes.

Community Open Day and Site Tours

Are you interested in what's happening at the Melbourne Regional Landfill?
Join us on Saturday 17 October from 11am–2pm for a Community Open Day with guided site tours at 1100 Christies Road in Ravenhall.
Meet the team, learn about future plans for the site, hear about our new proposal and planning process and ask any questions about the operations.
Plus, you'll enjoy free refreshments and a sausage sizzle provided by the Caroline Springs Rotary Club. 

To register email: [email protected] or call Olga Ghiri on 0478 316 237.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MRL Central?
MRL Central is the area of land between MRL East and MRL West, currently nearing the end of its life as a quarry. Cleanaway is proposing to infill this area so the site can continue safely receiving residual waste until around early 2050s.
Will the landfill footprint get bigger?
The proposal is for additional capacity within the site's existing boundaries. The application will not bring landfill operations any closer to surrounding residential communities.
When will approvals be sought?
Cleanaway intends to lodge a planning permit application in December 2026 and apply to EPA Victoria for a development licence at the same time. Both applications will be independently assessed through Victoria's regulatory processes.
How can the community play a role?
Community engagement on the planning permit application and supporting documents will begin in September 2026 and continue in early to mid-2027.

A formal consultation period follows in 2027, during which submissions can be made to the Department of Transport and Planning and EPA Victoria.
What are the environmental controls planned?
Existing environmental controls will be maintained and amended where required to continue the effective management of odour, traffic and noise, with ongoing monitoring to minimise potential impacts on the surrounding communities.

The planning and environment applications will include a range of technical studies prepared by technical specialists across engineering, environmental management, traffic, hydrology, ecology, cultural heritage and other environmental experts. The studies and the accompanying reports will be made available to the public during the application and assessment process.

Get involved 

Community and stakeholder engagement has commenced, and includes work with government agencies, local councils, Traditional Owners, regulators, neighbouring landholders and industry representatives.

Over coming months, we will continue to keep the community informed about the proposal. Transparent and open communication with the community remains our priority and is maintained through the MRL Community Reference Group (MRLCRG).

More information about the structure and objectives of the MRLCRG meetings are outlined in the Terms of Reference.

To apply to join the MRLCRG please complete this Application Form.

We'll continue sharing updates as the project progresses through 2026 and 2027, including as the planning permit application and technical studies are lodged.

We encourage you to visit this webpage regularly for updates and announcements. Your input and involvement are important as we develop a resource recovery solution that benefits both the community and the environment.

If you have a question or would like to speak with Cleanaway, please contact us: