River rubbish runaround

 A Tylden resident was disgusted to discover bags full of household rubbish flowing down into the Coliban River at Springhill this week.

Kylie Kitchen

A load of rubbish was discovered dumped at the Coliban River which runs directly into the Coliban System (Southern) - the drinking water supply for Kyneton, Springhill, Lauriston, Malmbury, Trentham and Tylden.

Plastic bags and containers, food and toiletry packaging, soiled nappies, cardboard and even greasy mechanical parts were dumped in and around the river, in bushland off Coliban Road, Springhill.

A Tylden resident spotted the rubbish from a dirt track in the bushland on Tuesday.

He said he was disgusted as he got closer and saw bags full of household rubbish flowing down into the river.

The resident reported the matter to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Coliban Water, Macedon Ranges Council and Trentham Police.

The Guardian could not establish exactly which authority is responsible for the subject site and waterway. The EPA said it is not responsible. Macedon Ranges Shire is outside the subject site, while Hepburn Council is determining if the site is its responsibility. Coliban Water is responsible for reservoirs, not rivers, while the North Central Catchment Management Authority said it is responsible for only some aspects of rivers. At the time of going to print, the Department of Sustainability and Environment was still looking into the matter while Parks Victoria had not responded to the Guardian's enquiry.

Trentham Police attended the scene on Tuesday morning and collected evidence.

A name on bills and prescription medicine boxes among the waste led police to another person who was the offender.

Leading Senior Constable Leeanne Curran said a man has been fined and is required to clean the site.

"We've identified a person involved. A fine will be issued, they're expected to be prosecuted by way of fine, and will be responsible for clean up," she said.

"We've told him to do it within the next couple of days and we will follow up to make sure it's done."

NCCMA executive manager of Murray, Campaspe and Avon Richardson catchments, Emer Campbell, said this matter is the EPA's concern.

"Various agencies and departments have responsibilities for different aspects of management of Victorian waterways," Ms Campbell said.

"Responsibility for an incident such as this will depend on the nature of the incident and other factors.

"In this case, the EPA is the peak agency (pollution) and will manage it according to their procedures. The North Central CMA will provide what assistance it can if requested by the EPA."

Coliban Water is the authority responsible for the Upper Coliban Reservoir which supplies town drinking water, but is not responsible for the rivers that feed the reservoir.

"River health and potential water contamination is always a concern to us, however we conduct routine water quality monitoring at our catchment storage sites and also at our water treatment plant prior to treatment and supply to customers," a spokesperson said.

A Hepburn Council spokesperson said council is looking into the matter. The spokesperson said offenders are usually given the option to clean up the rubbish themselves or council may clean up and recoup the costs if the area is found to be in council's jurisdiction.

"If litter is on land controlled by other authorities we will work with the relevant authority to assist them if required," the spokesperson said.

Macedon Ranges Council assets and environment director, Dale Thornton, said residents are able to dispose of recyclables and green waste for free at transfer stations.

"Bottom line is that most items are free at our transfer stations now and only those items going to landfill are charged for. In all cases this is cheaper than the fines for illegal dumping and far more environmentally responsible," he said.

Mr Thornton said council's free days for specific activities have seen no reduction in illegal dumping.

"A great example is that council doesn't charge for green waste now, but yet we still have people dumping green waste on the side of the road and in front of the transfer stations," he said.

"Recyclables are also free to dispose yet they are dumped as well.

"Dumping is done by both residents and non-residents and is always investigated by the shire and/or the EPA. We have a good track record of finding those responsible as current detection methods allow for this."