Manningham City Council and Melbourne Water are calling on local residents to be on the alert for illegal rubbish dumping, after an increased amount of rubbish was found in Koonung Creek in recent months.
Household items such as bikes, bike parts, hoses and other hard rubbish was dumped in the creek, particularly the area south of Boronia Reserve.
The Koonung Creek and surrounding parks are greatly valued by the local community, and the impacts of pollution on the environment and waterways are significant.
Pollution in the waterway damages the water quality and water flow, and poses risks for local marine life including the creek’s five frog species the Growling Grass Frog, Common Eastern Froglet, the Spotted Marsh Frog, the Striped Marsh Frog, the Pobblebonk Frog and the Ewing's Tree Frog.
The waste disposal also impacts on local residents who use the reserve and shared path along the river to ride their bicycles, walk their pets or enjoy a leisurely walk.
Specialised machinery to remove the rubbish, subsequent testing of water quality and increased maintenance of the waterway is very costly, and often the rubbish can further encourage illegal dumping and other behaviours such as graffiti and property damage.
Residents are encouraged to report any illegal dumping as Council will investigate and, if the offender is identified, penalties exceeding $6,000 may be imposed.
Manningham Mayor Councillor Michelle Kleinert said it was disappointing to see littering in such a popular area of the community.
“The illegal dumping of garden waste and household goods in our parks and waterways pollutes our natural areas and can cause injury to people and wildlife.
“Each year Council responds to around 700 complaints to clean up illegally dumped rubbish at a cost of more than $35,000 per annum.
“We encourage anyone who sees illegal dumping to report it to the Manningham Litter Watch hotline 1800 NO LITTER (1800 665 488)."
Manningham residents can legally dispose of hard waste items through Council’s hard waste collection service, which allows residents to book two free collections per calendar year.
For more information on litter prevention and waste and recycling in your area, please visit www.manningham.vic.gov.au/waste-and-recycling
