No punishment for litterbugs as oBikes, mattresses, chairs, TVs and couches trash Waterways
More than 100 species of bird live in these beautiful southeast Melbourne wetlands. But it’s now marred by piles of abandoned trash — and a planning loophole means no-one cops infringements.
Inner South
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A loophole has left hard rubbish dumpers free to trash wetlands in Melbourne’s southeast without punishment because the land is not managed by the council.
Waterways wetlands have become a dumping destination, with mountains of ripped up couches, filthy mattresses, snapped chairs, broken trampolines and smashed televisions left to rot behind shrubs near Bowen Parkway.
A makeshift outdoor living room — complete with a couch and coffee table — is also hidden in the marshland.
A rogue oBike was also among the clutter, despite the bikeshare app being booted last year after dozens of them were hurled into the Yarra River.
But the litterbugs have been left free to do the damage, with the land managed by Melbourne Water — a body which has “no power” to issue infringements.
The shocking images were taken by Aspendale Gardens cyclist Andrew Burke as he rode near Mordialloc Creek.
It is unknown how long the hard rubbish, which also includes mowing machines, suitcases, heaters, old laundry baskets and toy baby dolls, sat among the trees before he made the discovery.
“Is this our beautiful wetlands? This (trash) is near Mordialloc Creek right now,” Mr Burke said.
“It’s a dumping ground for rubbish. (Has) anyone been out cleaning it up lately?”
More than 100 species of bird are believed to call the man-made wetlands home, which are bordered by Braeside, Keysborough, Bangholme and Aspendale Gardens.
Melbourne Water’s David Voce said they did not have the power to issue fines, but would have the rubbish removed within a “few weeks”.
“This case is a strong call to action that litter prevention is everyone’s responsibility … Melbourne Water asks people to bin their rubbish as litter dropped on our streets eventually ends up in our rivers and creeks through stormwater drains,” he said.
“Rubbish dumping is a blight on the environment, costly, time consuming to remove and has a devastating impact on local wildlife.”
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Kingston Council city assets and environment general manager Bridget Draper said they would pass on residents’ rubbish complaints to Melbourne Water, and it was their responsibility to manage and pay for the clean-up.
“(But) if Council receives complaints over the dumping of rubbish in any of Kingston’s reserves, parks or beaches, local law officers can investigate and issue fines,” she said.
“The penalty for dumping rubbish in a public park is $330 (and) over the past 12 months, council has issued 10 infringements.”
To book a hard rubbish collection, go to kingston.vic.gov.au
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au