By Derek Schlennstedt
Around 19 emergency crews attended a hazmat dumping on the side of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road just before Devil’s Elbow on 2 October.
Crews worked to remove around nine drums which had been thrown over the edge of the road into the national park.
According to Captain Peter Smith of Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade, crews in hazmat suits could only work 20 minutes at a time.
The dumping has drawn the ire of community members and Parks Victoria who have been battling an increasing number of illegal dumpings around the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley.
Parks Victoria District Manager for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges Victoria Purdue said that on the morning of 2 October, Parks Victoria was alerted to a number of chemical drums that had been dumped within Dandenong Ranges National Park.
“The contents of the drums was unknown so the CFA hazmat team treated it as hazardous waste, with Parks Victoria engaging a licenced contractor to contain and remove them the same day,” she said.
“The contents of the drums will be tested to ensure they are disposed of in accordance with all waste management legislative requirements.”
She said that luckily there has not been any negative impact on the natural environment and that dumpers can face serious fines if caught.
“Illegal dumping of rubbish is an environmental crime. As well as being unsightly and potentially dangerous for visitors, dumped rubbish also causes serious pollution and environmental harm and is extremely costly and time consuming for Parks Victoria to remove.”
“Parks Victoria is disappointed that this has occurred and is committed to preserving Victoria’s special places, providing world-class visitor experience and looking after our environmental and cultural values.”
