Alleged Illegal Waste Burning Ignites Grass Fire in Wollert During Record Heat
On January 27, when Victoria experienced its hottest day on record, Jayden Chetcuti, 26, allegedly ignited a bonfire of demolition refuse on a leased farm in Wollert, an outer Melbourne suburb. A total fire ban was in effect at the time, and the fire escalated into a grass fire.
Over 20 Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) vehicles, along with a helicopter, were required to contain the blaze, which was intensified by strong northerly winds moving towards a nearby housing estate. This incident was not the first fire firefighters responded to at the Wollert property, located 40 kilometers north of central Melbourne.
Investigations and Allegations Unfold
Jayden Chetcuti is currently under investigation by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for the alleged "unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste" and for not complying with the regulator's directive to stop burning and clean up the site. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges on March 16.
His father, Joseph Chetcuti, also faces EPA charges for allegedly accepting industrial waste without a permit at multiple sites in Diamond Creek and for failing to comply with a notice to cease accepting, classify, and clean up waste. Joseph Chetcuti is scheduled to appear in court in May for a guilty plea.
Sources within the waste industry, who spoke anonymously, stated that the father and son allegedly operated a black market business, disposing of demolition waste at reduced prices.
This service reportedly attracted small operators seeking to avoid Victoria's metropolitan landfill levy, which increased to $170 per tonne last year. One source indicated that the high and increasing cost of legal construction waste disposal incentivized the use of such shortcut services. The operation reportedly began at a Diamond Creek property owned by the Chetcutis, initially handling soil and later expanding to include building waste, with up to 80-100 trucks per day.
The Wollert Operation and Local Concerns
The Diamond Creek operation was shut down in September last year, and Joseph Chetcuti was charged. The following month, Jayden Chetcuti leased the 53-hectare Wollert property, which was advertised as an "ideal earth dump station."
Satellite imagery shows the property's north-western corner transformed from a rocky field into a dump site with piles of building waste and soil by mid-December. The CFA visited the property multiple times before police accompanied firefighters on January 27, when Jayden Chetcuti was arrested and interviewed before being released. WhatsApp messages from Chetcuti seen by The Age reportedly advertised the Wollert site for tipping rubbish.
A CFA source, speaking anonymously, reported that volunteer firefighters had visited the Wollert site several times during the summer, noting Chetcuti's alleged casual attitude, including a joke about bringing marshmallows next time. The source also highlighted the strain on resources, stating that appliances tied up at Summerhill Road increased risk to the broader Wollert area.
A nearby resident reported frequent truck traffic, fires that would smolder for days, and temporarily relocating his family due to smoke and dust.
Environmental and Infrastructure Risks
Northern Metropolitan Liberal MP Evan Mulholland raised the issue in state parliament, expressing concern over fires occurring during total fire bans and the risk to local communities. The Wollert property is bordered by heritage-listed dry stone walls, one of which has been damaged, and is part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment Program, containing habitat for critically endangered species.
A high-pressure underground gas pipeline, critical to Melbourne's gas supply, also runs through the site. The pipeline's owner, APA, reportedly raised concerns with the CFA regarding potential risks from an uncontrolled grass fire.
Accused's Defence and Official Response
When contacted, Jayden Chetcuti confirmed leasing the property but denied burning industrial waste, claiming the material was green waste, including trees and hardwood timber. He stated he was complying with EPA directions and removed part of a protected dry-stone wall for property access.
The EPA stated that the Wollert site is under ongoing investigation.
"EPA has inspected and issued a direction and remedial notice to regulate the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste at 280 Summerhill Road, Wollert," the authority reported. "An investigation is ongoing to identify potential offenses related to the unlawful deposit and burning of industrial waste as well as non-compliance with the direction and remedial notice."
Victoria Police confirmed an investigation into "the circumstances surrounding an allegedly suspicious grassfire in Wollert" on January 27, noting a 26-year-old man was arrested, interviewed, and released. Whittlesea City Council is also investigating activities at the site, with officers having attended on numerous occasions.