Dump risk to Yarra

By Dion Teasdale
A WOORI Yallock resident has called on the community to stop polluting the Yarra River and dumping rubbish at a local reserve and car park.
Michael Carr has also called on the State Government, the Shire of Yarra Ranges, and local police to help stamp out vandalism and address public health and safety concerns at the site.
Mr Carr lives adjacent to the Yarra Bridge reserve, which is situated between the Healesville Koo Wee Rup Road and the Yarra River north of Woori Yallock.
He said he is disgusted by the level of household rubbish being dumped in the nearby car park and in the Yarra River, and is disturbed by the risks the rubbish poses to public health and safety.
“People are dumping washing machines, TVs, lounge suites, bedding and clothes, microwave ovens, old gas heaters, telephones and even printer cartridges,” he said.
“The whole area is being treated as a rubbish tip. Particularly disturbing is the amount of syringes, used condoms and nappies being dumped around the car park.”
Mr Carr said he was also concerned about the level of graffiti and vandalism at the site.
“The gate, which is meant to prevent people going further into the bush, has been destroyed, and the underside of the nearby bridge is covered with graffiti,” he said.
Mr Carr said the amount of household rubbish, and used syringes and condoms, has built up steadily since Christmas last year and poses unacceptable risks to people who use the area for recreation.
“People come here to go for bush walks and to swim in the river.
“The area is within earshot of the local primary school and is used often by visitors to Camp Bindaree, which is just up the river,” he said.
Mr Carr said people dumping rubbish at the site were being lazy and lacked respect for the local environment.
“A few bad apples in the area are ruining the place for everybody else,” he said.
“The people who are doing this really need to stop and think about their actions and what effect they are having.”
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato said she had written to the Shire of Yarra Ranges on Mr Carr’s behalf, seeking information about the pollution, and was awaiting a response. Shire of Yarra Ranges manager of community relations, James Martin said shire officers had determined that the car park was a VicRoads responsibility.
“Officers have contacted VicRoads to let them know there is a problem at the site and VicRoads will respond to it,” he said.
VicRoads Metro South East Region acting manager Patricia Liew said VicRoads was responsible for maintaining an area around the site.
“It is incredibly disappointing that people dump their rubbish in areas like this. It is up to all members of the community to help preserve these areas,” she said.
“We will work with other stake holders to determine what measures can be undertaken to help minimise rubbish being dumped at the site.”