Bob’s Park in Menzies Creek has been turned into a ‘free-for-all tip’

A parkland in Menzies Creek has been turned into a “free-for-all tip”, with reportedly seven truckloads worth of rubbish and animal carcasses dumped on the grounds.

A parkland in the Dandenong Ranges has been turned into a tip, with reportedly “seven truckloads” worth of rubbish containing asbestos and animal carcasses dumped on the grounds.

Local residents say Bob’s Park, near Aura Vale Lake in Menzies Creek, 40 km east of Melbourne, has become “free-for-all rubbish tip”.

The park was closed to the public in 2008, and has since become a popular place for anti-social behaviour, including people taking drugs and alcohol.

Michael Dinkgreve, 61, who often frequents the parkland, said he was in tears when he found the rubbish dumped on the grounds.

“I saw at least seven semi-trailers worth of rubbish dumped, there was trade waste, building waste, mattresses, everything,” he said.

“The smell was repulsive, I’ve never smelt anything like that before. I think there’s animal carcasses in there, possibly deer or fox.

“It’s just disgraceful – it’s destroying parklands and destroying nature.”

A large amount of rubbish has been dumped at Bob’s Park in Menzies Creek. Picture: Supplied

It is understood the park was closed to the public in 2008. Picture: Supplied

Mr Dinkgreve said the secluded area made it easier for people to dump rubbish and go unnoticed.

“I can’t believe that people can do that. I’m ashamed to be a human, pigs are cleaner than that,” he said.

“My New Year’s resolution was to pick up 20 pieces of rubbish everyday. If I picked up 20 pieces everyday from that tip, I wouldn’t have enough days in my life to clean up that mess.”

Parks Victoria spent around $10,000 removing rubbish illegally dumped at Bob’s Park in 2023.

Parks Victoria District Manager Julia Street said littering and rubbish dumping are ongoing challenges for park rangers.

“There’s been an increase in illegally dumped rubbish at Bob’s Park over Christmas and unfortunately that includes asbestos, which will need to be removed by specialists before the rest of the rubbish can be cleaned up,” she said.

“Since the closure there have been persistent issues with large-scale rubbish dumping, vandalism and anti-social behaviour and we’re conscious of the impact this has had on people who remember the park when it was open.

“Our forests and parks are there to be enjoyed by everyone, and dumping rubbish has significant impacts on the environment and people’s health.”

Ms Street said Parks Victoria are working with the shire, local fire brigade and other stakeholders to figure out a long-term solution.

Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of infrastructure services Jacqui Kelly said the council is not responsible for illegally dumped rubbish on the site.

“Council is aware of the issue illegally dumped rubbish at Bob’s Park and have reported it to Melbourne Water,” they said.

“We encourage the community to report illegally dumped rubbish on Council land to us,

to help make Cardinia Shire a cleaner and safer place.”

There are tough penalties in place for people caught littering or dumping rubbish, including fines and prosecution resulting in convictions and even possible imprisonment.

Councils enforce fines under the Environment Protection Authority Act.

Individuals who litter less than 50 litres of items can be slapped with a $370 fine, and companies a $1849 fine. People who dump dangerous goods can face on the spot fines of up to $740, and companies $3698.