Latrobe Local News:
Stormwater litter traps ready for the next rains

The last of four structural projects to improve the environmental management of Latrobe City’s urban stormwater, and help protect the region’s rivers, lakes and waterways has been commissioned by Latrobe City this week.

By Latrobe City - 4th April 2003 - Back to News

•Tell us your opinion •See what others have said

The last of four structural projects to improve the environmental management of Latrobe City’s urban stormwater, and help protect the region’s rivers, lakes and waterways has been commissioned by Latrobe City this week.

Gross pollutant traps have recently been constructed on outfall drains in urban areas, located in Old Sale Road, Moe; Keegan Street, Morwell; Wright Street, Traralgon; with the final structure in the program, completed at the McDonald Way and Phillip Parade intersection in Churchill, at the entrance to new wetlands being constructed.

The gross pollutant traps capture litter and sediment washed through gutters and stormwater drains preventing it from entering waterways. They have been constructed as part of Council’s Stormwater Management Plan funded through a State Government ‘Victorian Stormwater Action Program’ grant of $246,000 being matched equally by the City.

Latrobe City Mayor and Chair of the Litter Prevention Taskforce, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, said the commissioning of the four new litter traps would help prevent urban litter reaching creeks and rivers.

"The water that runs off your roof and driveway are the beginning of the stormwater system, and this together with water running off footpaths and roads, feeds into a network of usually hidden underground pipes and drains," Cr Middlemiss explained.

"After rain, anything that’s in the path of the water, such as plastic bags, cigarette butts or drink cans, simply gets flushed through these drains into our waterways unless it can be diverted and trapped. The new gross pollutant traps, together with others that Latrobe City has installed in urban areas over the past few years, prevents a great deal of this rubbish from ever leaving the urban area and entering creeks and rivers," Cr Middlemiss said.

Manager Environmental Strategy, Kevin Roberts, said that trapping litter from urban run-off was an important factor in helping protect waterways. "However, besides the litter, a great deal of silt and sediment together with chemical pollution caused by detergents, oil and fertilisers, enters the stormwater system. Chemical stormwater pollution can kill plants and animals that live in the water, while sediments often have high levels of nutrients attached, which adds to the total nutrient load in our lakes and waterways, furthering algal blooms," Mr Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said everyone in the community had a part to play in reducing the amount of rubbish and pollution that is carried into stormwater drains. "Firstly we can prevent litter ever entering gutters and drains by ensuring we don’t litter in the first place, and secondly we can take care to ensure surplus chemicals are disposed of responsibly, not simply tipped down a drain. It is far more effective to stop the problem at its source, than try and treat the result," he said.

Cr Middlemiss, said the commissioning of the litter traps was one of numerous strategies identified in the Stormwater Management Plan, ranging from site specific treatment measure such as the gross pollutant traps; to strategies that addressed wider catchment issues, such as the creation of wetlands and educational activities.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

Note: To start the discussion you will have to login with your member account.

• Latrobe health ready for vaccine rollout
  People at high risk will be prioritised and be provided with safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine.
• Inverloch Projects Ready to Go
  Projects include road and kerb renewal works along Golf Street, between Freda Street and Sandymount Avenue and the design and installation of a new shelter at the Wallace Avenue Park.
• Bass Coast is ready for Christmas
  Council to allocate budget to fund Christmas decorations in major centres
• The Last Hurrah – Tripodi and Co Fruit Depot
  Dedicated commitment of Gino and Claire Tripodi.
• Wheel Wash Ready to Roll
  On landfill management,Council installed a truck wheel wash unit at the Grantville Transfer Station.
• Latrobe City Releases Draft Investment Roadmap for Comment
  Latrobe City Investment Roadmap - ready for public comment.
• Latrobe City Council named an Employer of Choice
  Latrobe City Council, recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2020.
• Labor Giving City Projects a Leg Up, but Forcing Country Communities to their Knees
  Tangled red and green tape makes it too difficult for people to develop in regional Victoria.
• Latrobe City Libraries Sensitive Santa Sessions embraced by Community
  Quiet, gentle introduction to Santa for children with sensory needs.
• Latrobe City Advocates for Additional COVID-19 Testing Resources
  Additional COVID testing resources to assist in reducing the lengthy delays requested.
• Latrobe City Gift Card set to Bolster Local Business
  Shop local - your buck stops here.
• Latrobe City’s Australia Day Award Winners Announced
  Awards presented in recognition of significant service to the community.
• Christmas Giving Trees Ready for Gifts
  Donations of Christmas puddings are welcome.
• Latrobe Valley Reserves Score Funding for Lighting Boost
  Transformation and improved amenity with $1,046,109 from Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
• Latrobe Valley Schools Share in $6.59 Million Maintenance Funds Boost
  108 schools across Latrobe Valley to benefit from maintenance works carried out at their school.
• Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland Clubs Score Sport Grants
  Sport Grants awarded to Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland clubs.
• Latrobe Valley Receives Vital Recovery Funding
  Chambers of Commerce and Trader Groups provide critical advice, connections and resources to businesses in the Latrobe Valley and these grants will be crucial in helping them to support members’ transition to COVID Normal.
• Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme - Northe
  Considerations to reinstate Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme.
• Helping Baw Baw and Latrobe Prepare for Emergencies
  City Council to receive funding to get ready for emergencies
• Supporting Small-Scale School Building Projects in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
  Important upgrades to Victorian schools.
• 2021 Latrobe Regional Galley new exhibitions
  A fun and wonderful way to spend time with the family while expanding our creativity through art.
• Funding for More Latrobe Valley Community Projects
  Upgrades to community meeting spaces in Glengarry and Morwell with nearly $200,000 fund.
• Announcement of New Latrobe City Councillors
  New-look Latrobe City Council.
• West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Business Chambers Receive Vital Funding
  Funding from Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups awarded.
• Kinders in the Latrobe Valley Get Tech Savvy with New Gear
  $1.1 million in technology grants for kindergartens.
• First Look at Latrobe Regional Hospital Expansion
  Labor Government ensuring health services access to community
• West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Children Embrace Reading at Home
  Congratulations to schools that participated in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
• Grants Open to Help West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Schools Build Inclusion
  All inclusive playground and outdoor learning spaces soon.
• $436,839 Awarded to West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley to Boost Safety and Employment
  31 projects sharing in more than $5.6 million in funding under the 2020-21 Community Safety Infrastructure Grants
• Program to Reconnect the Latrobe Valley with Jobs
  Latrobe Valley people to receive help to re-join the workforce in a $47 million Reconnect expansion program.