Tenterfield Shire Council has an enviable reputation for keeping litter in public places to a minimum, and that job has just been made easier with three new litter bins in Rotary Park that are easy to keep clean and are graffiti-repellent.
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The bins were officially unveiled last week as part of an anti-litter campaign council is working on as part of a Northern Inland Regional Waste (NIRW) group initiative. NIRW has received an $88,000 grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority to reduce litter across the region.
Rotary Park – along with six other recreational parks in New England North West – has been selected to receive the new bins and signage. The NSW anti-litter campaign is about reducing litter, making it easy to use bins and making the community aware of the environmental and health issues around litter.
The aim is to reduce litter by 40 per cent by 2020. Project sites will be monitored to review changes in littering behaviour of park users over coming months.
Kath Little who was in Tenterfield for the NIRW campaign roll out said a well-cared for park makes people less likely to litter. She also complimented ranger Mark Cooper and his Parks and Gardens team for being on top of the litter situation, which can be helped by doing things like picking up litter before slashing grass.
“Other councils are envious,” she said.
Mr Cooper said he appreciates the community’s help in keeping public places litter-free, such as the Willow Walkers who carry collection bags for the purpose. He said ranger Todd Mumford does daily patrols but needs to catch culprits in the act in order to prosecute.
The EPA is encouraging anyone witnessing litter being thrown from a vehicle to report the matter online, providing the vehicle registration and location. Those reporting littering have to be willing to attend court as a witness if required, but anyone found guilty can be fined up to $250.
