Palmerston alderman calls for war against waste in blocked waterways

AN alderman has called upon council officers to look into waste diversion tactics, after local residents recovered 43kg of rubbish blocking a local drain

Alderman Mick Spick is hoping to work with community residents to keep rubbish from clogging local waterways

A PALMERSTON alderman has called upon council officers to look into waste diversion tactics, after local residents recovered 43kg of rubbish blocking a local drain.

Alderman Mick Spick said a concerned resident had taken him down Maluka Dr, Gunn and shown him a “considerable” amount of rubbish which had been collected and trapped in a nearby drainway, in just three days, after locals had already cleaned the area.

“A group of proactive members of the local Gunn community had pulled 43kg of waste from the drainage which ran parallel to Maluka Dr,” he said.

An alderman has called upon council officers to look into waste diversion tactics, after local residents recovered 43kg of rubbish blocking a local drain

“Their request was to have rubbish-catching mechanisms in place which prevented the travel of waste into the drain … to prevent it from ending in waterways.”

Mr Spick will ask Palmerston council to consider the best way to stop rubbish and waste flowing into local creeks and waterways and prepare a report for council.

“Considerations for the report include potential strategies City of Palmerston can implement to support organisations including but not limited to community groups, schools, local businesses and charities to help mitigate the improper waste disposal throughout the municipality,” he said.

“Such strategies could include educational programs, supporting infrastructure and policy implementation.”

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Mr Spick said it was important to support proactive locals when they asked for council help given they were trying to improve the city, so as to encourage such behaviour and boost residents’ spirits.

“City of Palmerston has an opportunity to work with civil- minded community groups to improve the liveability within the municipality,” he said.

“As a council we should move to encourage such actions and behaviours that mutually benefit the entire community.”

Mr Spick will ask that the report be returned to council by the first council meeting in December.

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