Melton councillor Steve Abboushi has declared war on pollution and wants to stamp out litterbugs.
At a council meeting on August 26, a notice of motion raised by Cr Abboushi was passed that a dumped rubbish and litter awareness campaign be developed.
The aim of the initiative is to educate residents about the effects of dumped rubbish and litter on public land in the west.
This would be done through education and include use of council’s website, social media, and other platforms deemed appropriate for implementation.
A major focus point of the campaign would be the benefits of hard rubbish collections as an alternative to illegal dumping. These collections are available to residents twice a year free of charge.
Cr Abboushi said the initiative was about more than just “cleaning up” the streets.
“It’s about taking a proactive stance to prevent the pollution of our land and waterways and protect the natural beauty of our city,” he said.
“Every piece of litter not only detracts from the visual appeal of our public spaces, but also poses serious environmental threats.”
There are a variety of reasons why a strong crackdown on dumped rubbish was the right course of action, said Cr Abboushi.
“It can harm wildlife, contaminate soil, and lead to the degradation of precious ecosystems… and can also have tangible impacts on public health and safety,” he said.
“It presents physical hazards such as sharp objects and toxic material, which unfortunately keeps happening.”
Cr Abboushi cited a number of recent instances, including dumped asbestos next to City Vista Reserve last year, as his motivation for the idea.
He said the benefits of a cleaner Melton are wide ranging and would unite locals.
“We need to make sure that we take pride and create a sense of belonging amongst our residents,” said Cr Abboushi.
“When our public spaces are well maintained, it fosters a stronger connection to our community and encourages everyone to take responsibility for their surroundings.”
Book a hard rubbish collection: www.melton.vic.gov.au/Services/Waste-and-recycling/Hard-waste
