Woodlawn Eco Precinct, Tarago
Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (Veolia) operates 3 EPA-licensed facilities in Tarago NSW, the Woodlawn Landfill, the Woodlawn Mechanical and Biological Treatment (MBT) facility and the Crisps Creek Intermodal Facility.
Two of Veolia’s 3 licensed facilities, the Woodlawn Landfill (EPL 11436) and the MBT facility (EPL 20476), are located within the Woodlawn Eco Precinct (the Precinct), about 6 kilometres west of Tarago. The Precinct also includes a bioenergy plant, the Woodlawn Farm and a series of evaporation dams that capture polluted surface water, leachate and legacy mine waters.
The Woodlawn Mine (EPL 20821), operated by Develop Global Ltd, is also located within the boundary of the Precinct. The mine maintains its own evaporation and tailings dams that also capture mining and mineral process water.
Stay up to date
To be added to our community mailing list to receive EPA updates related to the Woodlawn Eco Precinct in Tarago, please contact [email protected].
In 2024 the EPA conducted surface water sampling across the Precinct in response to the risk of an overflow event from dams. This included surface water sampling at potential receiving waterways known as Allianoyonyiga Creek and Crisps Creek. The analysis of this sampling showed elevated salinity, nutrients, zinc and low level per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the surface water.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the surface water sampling results from these creeks in October 2024, please email [email protected].
To confirm the findings from the 2024 sampling and determine whether a more detailed investigation was needed, the EPA undertook additional sampling in April 2025.
Results from sampling undertaken in April 2025 reveal both Allianoyonyiga Creek and Crisps Creek show signs of elevated pollutants, with water quality typically poorest at the sampling sites closest to the licenced facilities within the Precinct and improving with distance downstream. Sampling sites closest to the licenced facilities within the Precinct had some of the highest concentrations of salinity, nutrients, total dissolved solids (TDS) and total positive PFAS.
PFAS compounds were detected at all sample locations except in the Mulwaree River upstream of the intersection with Crisps Creek. PFOS exceeded the ecological guidelines at most sample sites with the highest PFOS concentrations observed at sites AL02 in Allianoyonyiga Creek and CR01 in Crisps Creek (both within the boundary of the Precinct), and at sample site CR04 which is in Crisps Creek upstream of the intersection with the Mulwaree River (within the boundary of Veolia's licenced intermodal facility).
The presence of PFOS in water samples does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health or livestock. NSW Health recommends that surface water from farm dams, rivers and creeks should not be used for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene without testing and appropriate treatment.
Read the full Woodlawn Surface Water Quality Report (PDF 3.7MB).
In response to the potential for water pollution to be occurring from the Woodlawn site, the EPA varied an existing licence condition (pollution reduction program) on the Environment Protection Licence (EPL) of the Woodlawn Landfill, requiring detailed investigations, assessment and modelling of the potential off-site impacts. Further information about these requirements can be found under ‘recent regulatory action’.
As a precautionary measure, the EPA offered private bore water sampling to residents living in close proximity to the Precinct in September 2025.
The EPA offered bore water testing to some Tarago residents in September 2025, based on their property’s location within the catchment area and its proximity to the Woodlawn Eco Precinct.
Water samples taken from all bores showed general water quality indicators, oxygen, nutrients, major ions and alkalinity, metals and trace elements and pesticides do not present a risk to livestock health or primary production activities, including irrigation.
One sample had a minor exceedance of the Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) guideline value when compared against Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC/ ARMCANZ, 2000) and ANZG (2018) which includes guidelines for aquatic ecosystems. There is no evidence to suggest that the sample has been contaminated by the Woodlawn Mine or the Precinct. The EPA will undertake additional bore water sampling and analysis to confirm the concentrations of PFOS contamination in this sample.
Each bore owner has received their sampling results. The EPA does not share individual sampling results out of respect for owner privacy.
NSW Health recommends that people do not use groundwater for drinking, cooking or personal hygiene (including cleaning teeth and bathing) without testing the microbiological, chemical and radiological quality of the water and ensuring appropriate treatment including disinfection. Guidance on the use of bore water is available from NSW Health.
Recent regulatory action
Prevention Notice – Landfill gas and leachate management
In April 2026, EPA issued Veolia with a Prevention Notice requiring it to undertake action to address landfill gas capture and leachate management issues at its Woodlawn Landfill. The Notice follows an EPA investigation into offensive odours at the site.
This regulatory action is designed to limit odour impacts on the community and improve overall environmental performance at the site. Under the terms of the Prevention Notice, Veolia is required to:
- submit an independently prepared, short-term action plan to the EPA 8 weeks from the date of the Notice outlining measures to reduce leachate levels and improve landfill gas capture. All measures must commence within 4 months of the Notice.
- increase the frequency of landfill leachate monitoring to demonstrate whether leachate levels are being reduced over time
- engage an independent expert to conduct regular landfill gas monitoring and to undertake inspections and ambient odour surveys, on and around the premises
- submit weekly reports to the EPA, including monitoring results and updates on progress against required actions.
To find further information about this Prevention Notice:
- Go to the Public register.
- Select Licences.
- In the 'Licence number' field type 11436.
- Click the Search button. Search results will display.
- Select Number 11436.
- Scroll to the section 'Notices'.
- Select 3515519 (s.96 Prevention Notice) – currently the last item on the list.
- Select View report.
Pollution Reduction Program - Response to Hydrogeological Risk Assessment
The EPA incorporated a Pollution Reduction Program (PRP) into the Woodlawn Landfill licence, which required Veolia to prepare a Hydrogeological Risk Assessment (HRA). Submitted to the EPA in October 2024, the HRA identified potential groundwater seepage pathways from 2 wastewater collection dams at the Woodlawn Landfill.
In response to the findings of the HRA and surface water sampling conducted by the EPA, we varied the PRP attached to the Woodlawn Landfill licence in 2025, requiring Veolia to undertake a series of actions, including:
- preparing and implementing a groundwater and surface water monitoring program,
- installing additional groundwater monitoring bores,
- developing an environmental risk assessment and an advanced groundwater model, and
- submitting a remediation action plan to prevent, minimise or remove contamination.
To find further information about this Pollution Reduction Program:
- Go to the Public register.
- Select Licences.
- In the 'Licence number' field type 11436.
- Click the Search button. Search results will display.
- Select Number 11436.
- Scroll to the section 'Pollution studies and reduction programs'
- Scroll to 'Groundwater Monitoring Network Improvements'
- Select Conditions.
Reporting odours
We are aware that the community has been experiencing ongoing odours around the Tarago area. We appreciate that odours can be unpleasant and can impact quality of life. We review each odour report and are committed to reducing odour impacts on the community as a priority. We have undertaken a range of actions to address persistent offsite odour issues. Further information can be found under ‘recent regulatory action’.
If you are experiencing odours and believe they are originating from a Veolia-operated facility in Tarago, we encourage you to report this directly to Veolia so they can investigate potential causes of odour at the time you may experience them.
To make a report to Veolia, you can call their 24/7 community information line on 1800 241 750 or email [email protected]. To report odour via a feedback form on their website visit Veolia Woodlawn Precinct webpage.
To report odour or other environmental concerns, you can also contact the EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555. Important information on odours can be recorded using the fillable fact sheet and odour log sheet (PDF 160KB). You can save this PDF to your device and email it to [email protected] to make a report or it can be used as a reference if you prefer to call.