16 October 2019
Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council have joined forces to bring a serial concrete dumper to justice.
At least eight incidents of roadside dumping have been reported to council. The dumped concrete, believed to potentially be the left overs from a building foundation pour, has been left at sites from Pearcedale to Cape Schanck.
EPA, VBA and council have teamed up in a call to the public for help with information. As the concrete is most likely to have come from a construction site, VBA will also contact all registered builders and plumbers on the Peninsula to ask their help with any information they may have.
EPA South Metro Regional Manager Marlene Mathias said it was an example of how regulators and councils work together to combat difficult waste crime activity.
"Dumping construction waste in this way is done for profit. It's cheaper to leave the problem for others to manage than deal with it the right way. It will be the Mornington Peninsula community that carries the clean up bill unless we can find the culprit and force them to pay for their actions," said Marlene.
"If anyone has information, they can contact us on 1300 EPA VIC, anonymously if they want. The sooner we find this person the sooner we can put a stop to this practice."
The Victorian Building Authority's State Building Surveyor, Andrew Cialini said all registered builders had an obligation to dispose of their building waste in designated council locations.
"The VBA supports the EPA's move to stop illegal dumping of building waste. We want all builders to act responsibly when disposing of concrete, rubble and other materials."
Shire Mayor Councillor David Gill said dumped waste poses a serious threat to wildlife and can lead to contamination of land, waterways and groundwater.
"Council spends more than $700,000 per year cleaning up the mess left behind by illegally dumped waste, collecting 4,518 individual cases of illegal dumping in the past twelve months.
"Hardworking ratepayer's money could be put to much better use in our community", concluded Cr Gill.
It is believed a skip bin truck, possibly an Isuzu or Mitsubishi with green writing on the door may be involved.
If you have any information please report it to 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842).
PHOTOS: Concrete dumped at McKirdys Road in Tyabb.
