For those who have dead stock due to the bushfires EPA Victoria encourages the removal of the dead stock to landfill facilities in the first instance. Where stock can’t be moved to landfill, they should be disposed of by burial at the site in accordance with EPA's “Farm Waste Management” publication.
Land owners are required to seek approval from their regional EPA office to bury more than 500 sheep or 150 cattle (or equivalent beast) on farm. They are also required to seek approval of DEPI and local government to bury less than 500 sheep or 150 cattle (or equivalent beast) on farm.
Councils are required to maintain records (name, location, stock burial numbers etc) of stock burial sites approved by DEPI and local government and forward to their regional EPA office.
Council/DEPI are to seek approval for large communal burial sites from their regional EPA office.
EPA requires burial sites to be on high ground, which is reasonably flat and at least 100 metres from any surface waters including any watercourse, drain, dam, spring/soak or swamp. The highest seasonal water table should not be within two metres of the bottom of the burial pit.
Burial pits should not be dug in highly permeable soils and not be situated within 300 metres of a neighbour’s house. Carcasses should be covered by at least one metre of earth.
EPA discourages burning and this should only occur as a last resort and in consultation with local fire authorities. Items such as tyres must not be used as fuel.