Mount Evelyn
5 Tuesday, 23 January, 2018
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For over a period of eight months, Silvan Fire Brigade has had to endure rotting mulch on their front doorstep. After several attempts to remove the mulch failed, the volunteers had to take matters into their own hands. On a Facebook post in December, Silvan Fire Brigade stated that they were ‘sick of dealing with the illegal dumping of mulch, rubbish and garden materials’ around their station and that there was so much of it that it took up a large portion of their driveway. Despite multiple attempts by the CFA unit to contact VicRoads who owned the land - they never received any response or assistance from them to remove the large pile of mulch and rubbish. Tim Drewitt, Officer at Silvan CFA said that the pile of rubbish was about 80 cubic metres in size and that eventually volunteers got so fed up with a lack of response that they removed it themselves. “There was about 80 cubic metres which included a lot of mulch but it wasn’t just the mulch,” Mr Drewitt said. “Basically rubbish bred rubbish and we had unsanitary things mixed in with the mulch, everyone decided it was their communal dumping grounds.” That communal dumping ground also became a dump site contractors and volunteers at the CFA even caught a Council contractor leaving rubbish at the site. Though, Mr Drewitt emphasised that once he brought it to their attention the Council removed the mulch the next day. “We never heard back from VicRoads ... the Shire made contact that the land wasn’t theirs or their responsibility - that was until we caught their contractor dumping there ... they did the right thing though and cleaned it up.” Following its removal, a fence was erected to deter individuals and companies from dumping rubbish. Though, after a month Silvan CFA removed the fence in the hopes that the deterrent had sent those previously dumping at the
site a clear message. In the lead-up to Christmas, Shane Peacock, Captain at Silvan CFA and various volunteers again caught people trying to dump rubbish and once again erected the fence which also encroaches on their training area. “Since we got some pickets and bunting around we’ve been able to stop it but we’re keen for it to not continue ... we can’t train there,” Tim said. Yarra Ranges Council Acting CEO, Ali Wastie said it was not Council owner land and did not comment on the Council contractor that was alleged to have dumped rubbish at the site.“When rubbish has been dumped on Victorian Government owned or managed land … VicRoads, Parks Victoria or other government agencies are the responsible authorities for clearing the rubbish and prosecuting offenders,” Ms Wastie said. Michael Barker, VicRoads Metro South East, Director of Operations confirmed that it was VicRoads owned land and that they would work with Silvan CFA in the future to remove illegal rubbish. “VicRoads works in conjunction with many organisations to ensure we target and remove illegally dumped rubbish …we will work with the Silvan CFA to ensure concerns of illegal rubbish dumpings are addressed.” Michael Barker, VicRoads Metro South East, Director of Operations confirmed that it was VicRoads owned land and that they would work with Silvan CFA in the future to remove illegal rubbish. “VicRoads works in conjunction with many organisations to ensure we target and remove illegally dumped rubbish ... we will work with the Silvan CFA to ensure concerns of illegal rubbish dumpings are addressed.” Vicroads also confirmed that after ’having inspected the site on Monday morning (22 January 2018),’ they found no illegally dumped rubbish - a result of the fence being erected by the CFA.
Killer consequences A drowned platypus was found trapped in an illegal Opera House Net in Wandin-Yallock Creek near Seville Recreation reserve by 17-year-old local Connor. Though Connor had never seen a platypus in the creek before, he knew the consequences of using an Opera House Net on native species and of which are illegal to use. Pictured here, Connor shows Senior Wildlife Investigator Mike Sverns who is investigating the drowning where he found the deceased platypus and the net it was trapped in. To read the full story turn to page 7.
Looking for an alternaive secondary school program? Now taking enrolments for 8, here in Mt Evelyn - Call 8 5 5 Providing young people with a hands on approach in a lexible learning environment Junior Levels - Years 7 to 9 Yarra Juncion campus, bus service available
VCAL Levels - Foundaion - Intermediate - Senior
www.cire.org.au
available at both Mt Evelyn and Yarra Juncion campus
School Registration Number 2091
By Derek Schlennstedt