Derwent Valley: local councillor bemoans prevalence of roadside litter across municipality

One of Tasmania’s most picturesque regions has been marred by roadside litter – and some believe the area is paying the price. FULL REPORT >>

ROADSIDE litter is a blight on the picturesque Derwent Valley and threatens to tarnish the region’s “clean green image”, a local councillor says.

Phillip Bingley said litter was “not just a minor visual issue of little consequence”.

“(It) is a serious economic, environmental and potentially public health issue,” he said.

“Many tourists to our state do ‘fly drive’ trips around Tasmania to see our landscapes, rivers, lakes and beaches. Tourists seeing roadside litter can only hurt our so-called clean green image and brand in the eyes of tourists to our state.”

Derwent Valley councillor Phillip Bingley. Picture: Supplied

At the Derwent Valley Council’s April meeting, Mr Bingley moved a motion for $14,000 to be allocated to roadside litter collection in the 2022-23 council budget.

However, not one of Mr Bingley’s council colleagues supported the motion, which he said had left him feeling “very disappointed”.

Mr Bingley told the Mercury he also wanted the council to lobby the state government to ban single-use plastics.

The Derwent Valley Council allocated $10,250 to litter reduction and addressing illegal dumping in its 2021-22 operational budget.

The State Growth Department contracts road maintenance company Stornoway to undertake litter collection on a scheduled basis on state-owned roads in the Derwent Valley.

Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said the municipality had 300km of roads that required maintenance.

“The resources, time, labour and safety of our staff all need to be taken into consideration when determining programs of work,” she said.

“Council is currently consulting with the community on a new Waste Management Strategy which considers our broader approach to waste management and includes management of, and deterrents for, roadside littering and illegally dumped rubbish in public places.”

Ms Dracoulis said it was “disappointing” that some people chose to throw rubbish away on the side of the road instead of disposing of it “responsibly”.

“It detracts from the natural beauty of our towns and does not showcase the region to visitors at a standard that it, or our community, deserves,” she said.

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