Campaign to crackdown on litter bugs causing havoc at popular Blackburn Lake
Too much waste — especially polystyrene — is ending up in popular eastern suburbs lake. Now, a group of volunteers have decided to act.
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A popular Whitehorse lake is being choked by rubbish, in particular polystyrene, prompting volunteers to crackdown on the problem.
Melbourne Water staff and nature lovers Friends of Blackburn Lake are getting creative to raise awareness of the issue, painting artwork to go drain covers to help get the litter prevention message across.
The messages also feature a silhouette of a Little Pied Cormorant, a bird which is on the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary logo and is regularly seen at the lake.
Melbourne Water’s Teresa Mackintosh said people often didn’t realise how quickly rubbish could find its way into waterways via stormwater drains.
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“Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is one of Melbourne’s few remaining natural bushland reserves and is home to a variety of local wildlife,” Dr Mackintosh said.
Melbourne Water and the litter group work will work with the community and Nunawading businesses to help them better manage and reduce their rubbish.
Friends of Blackburn Lake Sanctuary spokeswoman Su Dempsey said people should look out for businesses displaying stickers supporting the program in their windows.