By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has embarked on a major works program to reduce the amount of litter entering the area’s waterways.
Wyndham’s environment and sustainability portfolio holder Cr Heather Marcus said the council would spend more than $3 million to upgrade stormwater treatment wetlands and gross pollutant traps in the municipality.
Cr Marcus described the traps as “large, underground infrastructure that traps litter and solid waste before it can enter our creeks and wetlands”.
Cr Marcus said the amount of litter which ended up in Wyndham’s rivers, creeks and Port Phillip Bay was growing every year, sometimes resulting in the death of native wildlife such as platypus.
She said the council’s $3 million in upgrades would “substantially improve the health of our major urban waterways, including the Werribee River, Lollipop Creek and Skeleton Creek”.
“All three waterways drain to Port Phillip Bay, with the healthier waterways program benefiting not just Wyndham but the wider bay environment,” Cr Marcus said.
“Construction work on the first two sites have been completed at Skeleton Creek in Hoppers Crossing, with two new gross pollutant traps installed.”
Cr Marcus said it was also important for residents to not litter and dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully.
