Huge safety and environmental risks as dozens of burnt-out cars dumped in Werribee River

The Werribee River at Melton has been turned into a horror wasteland with more than a dozen cars left burnt out and dumped on its banks.

The Werribee River has been transformed into a graveyard for cars, with more than 30 vehicles sitting dumped or torched in what locals say is a major safety and environmental hazard.

Up to 36 cars remain scattered alongside the Werribee River, which have become more visible due to the lack of rainfall across the state in recent months.

Crooks are known to have allowed vehicles to roll into the river before becoming completely submerged and out of sight, while some have clearly set them alight on the banks.

Locals say the dumping ground for cars has become a haven for criminals and dodgy drivers looking to discard a vehicle out of the view of the general public.

Burnt-out cars litter the Werribee River area. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

More than a dozen cars were found near the Melton rail bridge alone. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Sunday Herald Sun this week visited the river near the Melton rail bridge, where at least 13 burnt-out vehicles dotted the land behind a housing estate.

But those who use the river say there are up to 36 vehicles spread along sections of the waterway.

Authorities on Friday attended the banks near the rail bridge and extracted three vehicles, the day after questions were put to both Southern Rural Water and the Melton City Council.

Three cars were removed from the site on Friday. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The cars pose a huge environmental risk. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Some of the vehicles have been under water for years. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Chris Dynon, of the Melbourne Runabout and Speedboat Club, who are based on the river, said he knew of at least a handful of ‘insurance jobs’ resulting in cars being dumped in the water.

“It’s a huge problem and it’s been happening for years,” he told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“They’re obviously stolen cars being dumped in the river when it has been full, (and they’re) thinking it would never be seen again.

“But when you go through a cycle of drought … the insurance companies don’t know they’re there until now.”

Locals say more than 30 vehicles have been left along the river. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Many of the vehicles are now visible with the low water levels. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Dynon, who is the boating club’s Commodore — the most senior official — said it also posed a massive safety risk to those using the river.

He said a fellow club member was driving a boat when it struck the roof of a four-wheel drive that had been submerged in the water some time ago.

It also presents a serious health and environmental hazard when the cars are set alight — a tactic often used by criminals to destroy any evidence of a crime.

“If a boat hits a car under the surface it’s going to be a serious crash,” he added.

“We’re lucky to have fish released into the water but then you’ve got coolant, oils, fuels and plastics that are now in the river.”

The site behind the housing estate was this week left an embarrassing mess.

Among the 13 vehicles visible in that vicinity were several dead birds heaped in plastic bags, car tyres, plaster, glass, a letterbox and a handmade knife.

President of Eyensbury Environmental Group surveys the damage. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

President of the Eynesbury Environment Group Chris Lunardi said the river and the outer west had become overwhelmed with dumped rubbish.

He visited the river on Friday and was shocked to see how many vehicles and the amount of rubbish that had been dumped nearby.

“It’s just pretty sad that it’s happening at all and that people think it’s a place to dump cars and rubbish. It’s disrespectful to the natural environment,” he said.

“As a group, we’re really concerned about that. We’d love to see more action taken.

“It’s a really messy and convoluted situation. If we had co-operation from authorities, we could see some better outcomes for prevention.”

Southern Rural Water said the water level was now allowing the removal of the rubbish.

“We’re working to remove abandoned vehicles and rubbish on our land when they are accessible and when the water level permits,” a spokesman said.

Originally published as Huge safety and environmental risks as dozens of burnt-out cars dumped in Werribee River