Mattresses, tyres and a bath tub dumped in precious waterway

Low water levels have exposed piles of rubbish destroying a valuable Bundoora waterway, with authorities warning dumpers to steer clear or face tough penalties.

A mattress lies exposed at the lakeside.

Mattresses, car tyres and bath tubs have been dumped into a La Trobe University chain of lakes.

And the Bundoora university has put dumpers on notice, saying they will report anyone they catch in the foul act to the police.

The university has a 2km waterway at the Bundoora campus, the Nangak Tamboree.

La Trobe spokeswoman Claire Bowers said the university was committed to protecting their important environmental asset.

A drop in water levels exposed the rubbish, which could have been in the lakes for a long time, Ms Bowers said.

La Trobe has security patrolling the campus to deter dumping and anyone caught in the act will be reported to the EPA and police, she said.

A tyre and bits of plastic lie on the edge of the waterway.

Pieces of metal jut out of the mud in Bundoora.

Darebin Creek Management Committee executive officer Graeme Hamilton said pollution from any waste in university waterways would flow into Darebin Creek at higher water levels.

“It displays a great contempt for the need to keep the water body … as unpolluted as we can,” he said.

A bathtub lying on the side of the lake.

Mr Hamilton said rubbish regularly pulled from the creek included mattresses, car parts, plastic bottles and packaging.

“And you get some clown coming along and dumping a trailer in,” he said.

The EPA can fine businesses associated with dumped rubbish up to $800,000.

Individual penalties are often investigated by council.

@richardapearce