Victoria's Environmental Protection Authority hopes to have a clearer picture of the type and amount of waste buried at a property near Kaniva in coming weeks.
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In a statement on Monday, the EPA said it would "undertake preliminary excavation works at some of the suspected sites of illegally dumped waste" in coming weeks.
"This will help begin to identify the type and extent of waste buried. At the same time, sub-soil testing will also be undertaken," it said.
The EPA has previously said the Lemon Springs property, 15 kilometres south of Kaniva, contains 20 underground dump sites of suspected industrial waste. It was first alerted to the problem in July 2018.
The EPA said it would also engage a specialist to undertake an independent risk assessment.
"This will identify any further measures required, beyond the steps the EPA is taking now, as well as provide remediation options for consideration," the statement said.
The statement said the EPA would continue to work with GWMWater to expand the groundwater monitoring program onto the property itself.
"Testing undertaken at surrounding properties continues to show there is no contamination," the statement said.
"Emergency management planning is also well underway for the coming fire season and the EPA has issued the owner of the property, Graham White, a notice requiring the site be secured and signage installed as well as an environmental site assessment conducted, to determine the type and extent of the contamination present."
The EPA issued Mr White with a clean-up notice in early September. Mr White was released from prison for serious firearms offences during the same month.
In parliament on Wednesday, Member for Lowan Emma Kealy asked Climate Change, Energy and Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio when the waste would be cleaned up.
Her comments came as parliament debated the government's draft Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Bill.
This seeks to increase the financial and jail penalties for individuals and body corporates who stockpile dangerous chemicals.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
