Environmental advocates call for education, cost savings to help curb illegal dumping in the NT

A multi-faceted approach is needed to improve a worsening illegal dumping problem in parts of the Territory, environmental advocates have said.

A MULTI-FACETED approach is needed to improve a worsening illegal dumping problem in Alice Springs, environmental advocates have said.

Lhere Mparntwe Management Strategy advisory group chairman Dr Ken Johnson said a greater focus on education about the town’s river systems and the role they play could go a long way to persuading to change their behaviour

“I think there’s a lot that can be done to get people to understand, to respect and value the rivers to begin with,” he said.

“It’s often been said that people tend to turn their backs on the river, but the river itself is part of the signature of the town – a natural system and a very attractive one.

“We should be making the most of it.”

An illegal dumping site in Alice Springs.

It follows clean-up day at Charles Creek organised by Lhere Mparntwe, which is a collaboration between NT government, the town council, and other environmental stakeholders.

“I went down there just before [the clean up] and there was a heap of stuff,” Dr Johnson said.

“All manner of things from old tyres, to toys, to mattresses – anything and everything.”

Lhere Mparntwe is also focused on protecting the town’s majestic and sacred River Red Gums, which have over the years been damaged by Buffel and couch grass and erosion.

While Alice Springs Town Council and the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) have established a working group to improve the issue, Councillor Jimmy Cocking said more immediate action should be taken.

“It’s a problem that’s getting worse,” he said.

Mr Cocking said it was too costly for some people to dispose of rubbish through legal channels, so inevitably some things get dumped in the bush and other locations.

Mr Cocking flagged his concern that only ratepayers – those who own a home – have access to two skip bins per year through the council, while renters may have to go without. He said he wanted to make it cheaper to dispose of rubbish at the tip. “I will be raising a motion at council in the coming months,” he said.