Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 27 October, 2017. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Gross Pollutant Traps protects our waterways

The gross pollutant traps were last cleaned Friday 20 October and are cleaned four times per year, with their litter baskets being cleaned monthly. The last clean removed over eight tonnes of waste from the gross pollutant traps located in McFarlane Road Mooroopna, Welsford Street, Colliver Road/Broken River Drive, Archer Street and Knight Street. This litter would have otherwise ended up in our rivers and waterways.

Cranes are used to lift off the concrete lids and take out the stainless steel baskets which are pressure washed. Left over waste is cleaned out with a hand basket on a 6m pole.

Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Works and Waste Heinz Kausche said most common items that end up in the traps are soft-drink cans, bottles and paper, all of which should be placed in the yellow lid recycling bins.

“I encourage all residents to help keep our streets clean by placing litter in the bin and not dropping it on the ground. Litter has significant negative effects on our waterways by contaminating our drinking water, our natural spaces, the general aesthetics of our region and our native plants and animals.

“Plants and animals are an important part of the environment, so to ensure they are able to flourish it’s vital that we make every effort to keep rubbish off the ground and in the bin. When rubbish enters our waterways it poses a threat to animals including turtles, platypus and birds by choking or strangling on the rubbish.

“By placing your rubbish in the bin you will help keep our rivers and parks healthy and vibrant and overall our city attractive to visit, enjoy and live in,” said Mr Kausche.