Factory Waste Found In Cherry Creek

A Laverton North company has been fined after waste from its stone cutting operations was found flowing into Cherry Creek.

EPA Victoria issued a $2,035 fine to Melbourne Marble Designs, which operates from a facility on Pipe Road in Laverton North, after officers traced a discharge of white liquid into the waterway in late January 2026.

Community members first reported the pollution after noticing the milky substance entering the creek.

EPA officers attended the site and tracked the source back to Melbourne Marble Designs’ stone cutting process.

“We could see from the stone cutting operation that the waste liquid used in the process was being allowed to discharge to a stormwater pipe that fed through the drain system to Cherry Creek,” EPA West Metropolitan Regional Manager Julia Gaitan said.

The white colour of the liquid was believed to be caused by suspended particles from artificial stone used in the cutting process.

“The white colour of the liquid appears to be caused by suspended particles of the artificial stone.

Any contaminated liquids that enter our waterways can harm the environment and EPA is sending a message to all industries; manage your processes, contain your waste fluids or we will take action including the issuing of fines and further action to ensure there is no repetition,” Ms Gaitan said.

“The only thing that should go down our stormwater drains and to our creeks and waterways, is rain.”

Cherry Creek runs through Melbourne’s west before connecting with other waterways in the region, meaning contamination can spread downstream if pollutants enter the stormwater network.

The EPA said businesses must ensure industrial waste is properly contained and prevented from entering stormwater systems that drain directly into local creeks and rivers.

Residents who see pollution can report it to the EPA.