By Pam Kiriakidis
Conditions along the Broadford-Wandong Road has sparked environmental concern, with dumped rubbish and dead animals found alongside the road.
Resident Terrence Hanlon, who has lived off Broadford-Wandong for 36 years, said the 17-kilometre road through Sunday Creek to Broadford was ‘constantly’ a site for pollution, specifically near where the road met the Hume Freeway.
With the road parallel to the Sunday Creek, Mr Hanlon said he was worried about the creek’s environmental status.
“All animals and dead animals are environmental issues especially when they’re sitting there and they heat up and just desegregate,” he said.
After notifying the Mitchell Shire Council and the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, EPA, several times, Mr Hanlon said council should have kept a better watch on the conditions alongside the road.
“Once a year would be grouse, maybe even better than what they have done so, but realistically it should be regularly maintained,” he said.
Mitchell Shire Council chief executive Brett Luxford said the site would soon be cleared.
“This site does not present any immediate danger to the general public, unlike several recent illegal dumping in the shire that have delayed the clean-up of Broadford-Wandong Road,” he said.
“However, we understand the dumped waste causes significant amenity impact and we are working to have it removed as quickly as possible.”
Council has spent about $6000 on the clean-up of illegal dumping on Broadford-Wandong Road this year alone.
Mr Luxford said council would spend more than $150,000 this year to dispose of illegal waste across the whole shire – a figure that would increase over time.
”Illegal dumping is a significant issue in Mitchell, which is why we have installed cameras across the shire to catch and help prosecute offenders,” he said.
Mr Luxford encouraged residents to report illegally dumped waste and provide any information they have about offenders to council.
To report illegally dumped waste contact council’s locals laws department by calling 5734 6200 or by using the online Report It tool.
Residents can contact EPA Victoria’s 24-hour pollution hotline on 1300 372 842.
