Are the landfill gases coming from the Oval dangerous?

The results of continuous monitoring in the area since 2019 indicate that the landfill gases pose a low risk to the general community. We are continuing to undertake investigations to confirm that this is the case. The safety, health, and wellbeing of all residents and oval users remains Council’s top priority.

Landfill gases can be concerning if concentrations are greater than EPA guidance values. The guidance values as determined by the EPA are described in the Solid Waste Landfill Guidelines (2016).

The two most common landfill gases are methane and carbon dioxide. These gases are not toxic and do not build up in your body. The risk posed by methane is combustion, and carbon dioxide can cause asphyxiation in an enclosed or confined space.