Tourists at The Pillars in Mt Martha leaving rubbish, causing rat infestation
IT’S a popular spot for thrillseekers and social media selfie-takers, but now rubbish left at this Mt Martha cliff-diving site is attracting some other unwanted guests of the four-legged kind.
South East
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RESIDENTS near The Pillars are grappling with rat infestations as crowds of thrillseekers continue to flock to the Mt Martha cliffs.
Marguerita Ave residents attending a community meeting about the site said rubbish left behind by tourists had attracted the rodents, which went on to breed.
Cassandra Gatt said the rats were in her garden, garage and house, and her gardener had reported similar problems in neighbouring properties.
“It’s disgusting. I have a compromised immune system and am really worried about the diseases rats carry,” she said.
Ms Gatt, who moved into the street six years ago said she first started seeing the rats about two years ago, not long after The Pillars first became popular.
“They’ve got worse over time and now they are nesting in the house and garage and eating everything,” she said.
Ms Gatt was one of about 60 residents to attend the community meeting held by Mornington Peninsula Shire last week.
The meeting was designed to provide feedback to the council, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and other key agencies about The Pillars and surrounding areas.
Residents raised concerns about rodents, rubbish, road crossings, water safety and emergency services access.
The council reported its efforts to alleviate the problems including parking officers patrolling three times daily, weekly litter collections, vehicle and pedestrian counts, a dedicated web page for reporting issues, and a community bulletin.
The council is also working with the Bunurong Land Council on gaining a cultural heritage permit for conservation works to protect the site and has applied for a Port Phillip Bay Fund grant.
The grant would fund litter removal and an ambassador program to educate visitors about the area’s environmental and indigenous significance.
A workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 28 to assess long-term management options for the site.
To register, email: jeska.dee@mornpen.vic.gov.au