Northern suburbs residents and builders have been warned over “rubbishing” their southern neighbours.
Whittlesea councillor Nicola Davis said litter and building debris was washing into Darebin Creek, affecting people tens of kilometres away.
“The Darebin Creek starts in Wollert and works its way into the Yarra River, running through four municipalities, then into Port Phillip Bay,” Cr Davis said.
“Heavy rainfall on May 31, with rain levels of 103 millimetres in Epping, saw all the rubbish from our residents and building developments wash into Darebin Creek, causing flooding and destruction downstream.”
She said that with more rain expected over winter, Whittlesea residents should realise their actions affected many others.
Cr Davis said debris had damaged walkways and bridges, as well as caused erosion downstream.
Adrian Infanti, co-ordinator of the Darebin Creek committee of management, said polystyrene waffle pods used in building concrete slabs, building rubble and household waste had scoured the creek bed and banks in the last downpour, and he warned it would get worse.
He said the more the outer north developed, with house roofs and concrete driveways impervious to rain, the run-off into creeks would intensify.
“As the entire catchment gets built up, the intensity (of run-off carrying debris) will get worse,” he said.
