Chemical drums dumped near 1000 Steps in Upper Ferntree Gully, CFA clean-up

Fitness fanatics at a popular Dandenong Ranges walking track unwittingly had a brush with danger when a load of potentially hazardous barrels — which took firefighters nearly seven hours to clean up — were dumped in nearby bush.

The CFA removed nine chemicals drums that were dumped near the 1000 Steps. Picture: Upper Ferntree Gully CFA

Chemical drums suspected to be filled with hazardous material have been dumped near the heavily-used 1000 Steps in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Firefighters worked for almost seven hours to remove nine drums, which appear to have been dumped off the side of Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd and rolled into the Upper Ferntree Gully bush near the creek.

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA captain Peter Smith said the incident became more dangerous when they reached the barrels and checked the numbers on the containers about 10.20am on Wednesday, October 2.

The CFA removed nine chemicals drums that were dumped near the 1000 Steps. Picture: Upper Ferntree Gully CFA

“Some stuff in the drums was very, very bad,” Mr Smith said.

He said 19 emergency service vehicles were at the scene including CFA, police and paramedics.

Police reduced traffic down to one lane and diverted those cars descending from the Yarra Ranges.

Belgrave police Sergeant Paul Phillips said police would be making inquiries to try and identify the owner of the barrels.

There were 19 emergency service vehicles at the scene. Picture: Upper Ferntree Gully CFA

It took firefighters almost seven hours to remove the barrels. Picture: Upper Ferntree Gully CFA

Sgt Phillips said anyone who might have witnessed the incident should contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Parks Victoria Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Ranges district manager Victoria Purdue said the contents of the drums were being tested to make sure the drums were disposed of properly.

“At this stage there does not appear to be any negative impact on this beautiful natural environment,” Ms Purdue said.

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“Illegal dumping of rubbish is an environmental crime.

“As well as being unsightly and potentially dangerous for visitors, dumped rubbish also causes serious pollution and environmental harm and is extremely costly and time consuming for Parks Victoria to remove.”

She said it was disappointing this happened and Parks Victoria was committed to preserving the state’s special places and environmental and cultural values.

“We work closely with the EPA, volunteer Landcare,” she said.

The EPA was unable to say what penalty the dumper faced until the conclusion of its investigation.

However, the Agency’s website states the illegal dumping of contaminated fill material, manufacturing, construction and demolition waste is an indictable offence, and can attract a maximum court penalty of $610,700 or seven years imprisonment for an individual, and more than $1.2 million for a corporation.

Any information to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.