Clean up ordered on industrial rubbish stockpiled near homes, school in Wallan estate

This “disgraceful” wall of rubble, old tyres and household waste has been piling up metres from Wallan homes and a primary school for more than a year. So how did it get there?

Mounds of illegally stockpiled industrial waste create a massive eyesore in Wallara Waters estate in Wallan. Picture: Anthony Piovesan

A landowner responsible for an illegal stockpile of industrial waste just metres away from homes and a primary school in Wallan has been ordered to clean up the eyesore.

Environment Protection Authority demanded the property owner, which could not be named for privacy reasons, remove the toxic waste by March 16.

It comes after a steady stream of complaints from residents concerned about the unsightly stockpile in Wallara Waters residential estate.

Dumped industrial waste in Wallara Waters estate in Wallan. Picture: Anthony Piovesan

Jodie Stalenberg told the Leader rubbish had been piling up on vacant land, off South Station St, for more than 12 months.

“It just seems to be growing day by day,” he said.

“In this day and age with the environment as fragile as it is this sort of behaviour should not be happening — building waste needs to be disposed of there and then.”

The Leader visited the site and discovered piles of tyres, some located in nearby waterways, and mounds of waste – some several metres high – stretching on for at least 300m.

The wall of junk can be seen from a distance. Picture: Anthony Piovesan

Tyres dumped in a nearby waterway. Picture: Anthony Piovesan

Wallan resident James Main said the “disgraceful” situation had been ignored for “too long”.

“This is an absolute disgrace — It’s on show for everyone to see yet no one is doing anything about it,” he said.

“I feel sorry for the residents who live streets away and houses are being built closer to it.”

EPA north east regional manager Renee Palmer said there would be harsh penalties if the property owner did not dispose of the waste.

“The matter is ongoing and EPA is in contact with the duty holder who has a responsibility to ensure they are compliant with all the regulations,” she said.

“EPA remains vigilant and ready to enforce further regulatory action, in line with its compliance and enforcement policy, if required.”

Dumped mattresses on Rowes Lane, Wallan.

Rubbish strewn along the side of Old Sydney Rd, Wallan.

Dumped rubbish on Old Sydney Rd, Wallan.