Jacana wetlands: rubbish discovery leads to responsible recycling push

An environmental action group is calling on Hume neighbours to dispose of their waste responsibly after a rise in rubbish in Moonee Ponds Creek.

Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek members Jenica Brooke with Kevin Balaam are disappointed rubbish is ending up in local waterways. Picture Andrew Tauber

An environmental action group is calling on Hume neighbours to dispose of their waste responsibly after a member discovered rubbish and debris floating in Moonee Ponds Creek.

Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek member Jenica Brooke said she was disappointed to see rubbish in the waterway as she cycled along the Western Ring Rd bike path in Jacana in November.

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“People need to be aware of where their rubbish goes,” she said.

“If you throw your bottle on the ground, once it enters stormwater it goes down the drains and enters places like this, which are real havens for wildlife in urban areas.”

Ms Brooke urged people in Hume to reduce their own waste by cutting down their consumption of plastic.

“Instead of buying icypoles covered in plastic wrapping, buy your own moulds and make them at home,” she said.

“Think back to what people did 20-30 years ago.

“Plan ahead and get creative.”

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Melbourne Water waterway and land officer Ryan Van Den Hove claimed responsibility for maintaining the stormdrain in Jacana, but added the broader problem of litter was a community issue.

“Melbourne Water currently undertakes inspections of litter traps on a monthly basis and clears them as required, and removes litter from Jacana wetlands every four months,” he said.

Hume Council’s sustainable infrastructure services director Peter Waite said the council helped keep litter out of waterways by sweeping local roads, picking up litter and installing litter traps on its stormwater drains.

“Litter often washes into waterways from stormwater run-off from neighbouring roads, parks and shopping centres,” he said.

“The community can help keep litter out of waterways by always disposing of rubbish responsibly.”

Litter in waterways should be reported to Melbourne Water at melbournewater.com.au.

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