By Tyler Wright
Known weeds have reportedly been left to grow for months at Silvan’s reservoir park despite concerns raised with the Department of Transport and Planning.
Local Robert Stephen, who spent his entire career in bush revegetation which consists of the control of environmental weeds, said he also noticed weeds including holly, agapanthus and spear thistle growing on top of piles of rubbish at gate 6 of the reservoir over 12 months ago.
“All through last year, the pile’s just got bigger and bigger and bigger,” Mr Stephen said.
In a letter sent to Mr Stephen by Melbourne Water’s Sue Jackman dated 2 November 2023 in response to concerns raised, Ms Jackman said Melbourne Water had assessed the area in question and determined the dumped rubbish is under the “ownership and responsibility” of the Department of Transport and Planning.
“The Department of Planning agreed that they’re responsible for the maintenance and have raised an order to have the rubbish removed,” Mr Stephen said.
“They still haven’t done anything about it.”
Mr Stephen’s concerns lie with the fact the weeds have been seeding for months on the “mounds of rubbish” blowing into the indigenous forest of the Silvan Dam.
“There’s already a problem in Silvan Dam reservoir of pittosporum undulatum, or sweet pittosporum, which is a serious environmental risk, but this just amplifies the problem, leaving rubbish like this with stacks of weeds on it, seeding and flowering and seeding right into the forest,“ he said.
“The visual side that the impact that has on tourism makes the place look like a pigsty and the environmental aspects of spreading, massive spreading of environmental weeds, purely due to the fact that the rubbish hasn’t been taken away.”
Yarra Ranges Council and Parks Victoria have identified Sweet Pittosporum as a weed, known to suppress biodiversity and understory light access, starving surrounding plants of water and nutrients.
Both entities have noted the expansion of the weed across the Dandenong Ranges. It hasn’t been declared as noxious in Victoria by Agriculture Victoria.
A Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) spokesperson told the Star Mail in a statement that crews will inspect Monbulk Road near Silvan Dam and complete weed management and rubbish removal “where necessary“.
“Each year, our crews mow tens of thousands of kilometres of grass across the state to ensure the safety of all road users, as well as managing potential fuel loads,“ the spokesperson said.
It is understood DTP is responsible for maintaining approximately 23,000 kilometres of freeways and arterial roads throughout Victoria, including more than 19,000 kilometres in regional and rural parts of the state.
It is also believed crews mow, slash and spray around 45,000 kilometres of roadside grass and weeds each year.
DTP is also said to work alongside councils and emergency services to plan mowing and vegetation management programs, targeting the highest-risk areas as a priority.
Melbourne Water decided not to comment for this story as the rubbish and weeds are located on Department of Transport and Planning land.
Community members with concerns about the condition of the arterial road network are encouraged to call 133 778 to report hazards.
