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Two Tonnes Of Rubbish Collected In Six Months

A stormwater pollution trap in Churchill has trapped over two tonnes of rubbish since it was installed in April this year.

By Latrobe City - 12th November 2003 - Back to News

A group of students from Lumen Christi Primary School and members of the Wattle Club in Churchill recently attended a special ‘exhibition clean’ of the unit presented by Latrobe City’s Stormwater Education Program.

Latrobe City Mayor and Chair of the Litter Prevention Taskforce, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said that the effectiveness of the trap in catching rubbish showed just how damaging stormwater pollution is to our local waterways.

"Thousands of plastic bags, bottles and cigarette butts were amongst the litter caught by the device. The trap’s giant net also caught a large quantity of sediment, leaves, grass and organic material," Cr Middlemiss said.

"Every time it rains, water running along our streets picks up litter which ends up in our creeks and rivers unless it can be diverted and trapped. The new gross pollutant traps clearly prevent a great deal of this rubbish from ever leaving the urban area and entering Latrobe’s waterways," Councillor Middlemiss explained.

"The Churchill gross pollutant trap (GPT), situated at the intersection of McDonald Way and Phillip Parade near the entrance to new wetlands, is one of four to be constructed as part of Council’s Stormwater Management Plan. It was funded through the State Government’s Victorian Stormwater Action Program. Similar traps have been installed at outfall drains located in Old Sale Road, Moe; Keegan St, Morwell and Wright St, Traralgon," Cr Middlemiss said.

"While pollution traps have solved part of the problem, Council wants to work further with the community to stop litter and pollution getting into the drains in the first place. Our current ‘Bag Yourself a Better Environment’ campaign is one example of our push towards a cleaner, greener environment," Cr Middlemiss added.

Latrobe City’s Stormwater Education Officer, Peter Collins, said that Latrobe was one of the first municipalities in the state to actively encourage the reduction in plastic bag use.

"We urge all residents to get behind the campaign and use the reusable calico or polypropylene shopping bags wherever possible. Not only will you be doing the environment a big favour, but you will also put yourself in the running to win $100 over the course of the campaign," Mr Collins said.

Cr Middlemiss added that there were millions of plastic bags entering the litter stream in Latrobe every year.

"They get blown away in the slightest breeze, littering our streets and spoiling our countryside. Following heavy rain, they can be seen in their hundreds, caught up in riverside vegetation. They clog up devices such as the gross pollution traps, which are costly to clean, and many do not break down for hundreds of years.

"Next time you go shopping, invest in the reusable bags and do your bit to help keep Latrobe City clean," Cr Middlemiss concluded.

The Stormwater Education Program is part of Latrobe City’s Stormwater Management Plan and has been assisted by funding from the State Government through the Environment Protection Authority as part of the

Victorian Stormwater Action Program.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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