Dumping ‘off rails at Lara’

ERIN PEARSON
LARA train tracks have become illegal dumps for building material and asbestos, according to the state’s Environmental Protection Authority.
EPA’s south west manager Gavan Mathieson said the dumps were growing as home renovators and lazy professionals sought cheap and easy ways to dispose of waste.
Mr Mathieson said piles of bricks, rubble, plaster, asbestos, corrugated iron and “general demolition waste” were visible from train carriages passing Lara.
“We’re receiving at least one (report) a week in the Geelong office of illegal dumping. Lara’s a hot spot,” he said.
“If you take the train trip up and back (past Lara) you can see all the illegal dumping happening.
“People are trying to cut costs because it’s expensive to dispose of. It’s a challenge for everyone.”
Mr Mathieson said the EPA believed people were dumping along the train lines because they were often unfenced and unmonitored at night.
V/Line’s James Kelly said train operators saw everything from building materials to unwanted mattresses dumped alongside the tracks.
Dumping waste beside the tracks was a safety risk, he said
“What concerns us is the railway is a live, dangerous environment with trains going past at speeds of more than 100km/h. Under no circumstances should people be entering the reserve.
“We’re aware of the problem and we work closely with EPA to try catching people dumping rubbish. We regularly patrol the rail line looking for people illegally dumping rubbish several times a week.”