Big jump in rubbish collected along Swan/Canning Rivers this year

24/1/98

The Swan River Trust cleanup team have collected a staggering 18 tonnes more rubbish along the Swan and Canning Rivers than for the same period of time last year.

Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today he felt Perth people must not care about their rivers to have dumped 58 tonnes of rubbish in and along the waterways.

"Despite all the effort put in by Government and community groups and all the outcry about the state of our rivers, a big number of people are still treating our unique waterways like the city tip," Dr Hames said.

"I believe this trend suggests many people lack any respect for the river environment which is intrinsic to Perth's unique character."

Dr Hames said the statistics on rubbish collection over the six-month period between July and December last year were extremely disappointing.

He said he was also concerned about the big jump in syringes.

The Swan River Trust statistics included:

+ a 46 per cent increase in general rubbish from 40 tonnes to 58 tonnes;

+ 158 syringes compared with 52;

+ 41 drums compared with 16;

+ 61 tyres compared with 43.

Dr Hames said the statistics did not reflect any change in collection methods.

"It is simply a case of more rubbish being dumped by the people of Perth," he said.

"We have slightly lower tides this year, which exposes more rubbish, but that cannot account for these sorts of increases.

"Dumped rubbish on and near the river is not just a visual eyesore, it degrades the natural environment and presents a hazard to river users.

"Rubbishing our rivers has a number of consequences, not least of which is the cost to the community to clean it up.

"The Swan River Trust alone spends $200 000 a year clearing away rubbish from the high-water mark down.

"Drums pulled out of the river have contained oil, fuel and variety of poisons toxic to river plants and animals.

"Over the last 18 months at least three members of the Trust's river cleanup crew have been injured by syringes."

Dr Hames said it would not be hard for people to clean up their act on rubbish.

"Take it home with you and put in your bin if there are no bins near you at your picnic or fishing site," he said.

"This includes the metres of fishing lines we are finding tangled up along the jetties and foreshore, which snare and kill bird life.

"The same goes for boat owners. Do not heave your rubbish over the side - take it home.

"As for drums and tyres, people can contact their local council or the Department of Environmental Protection's waste management division."

Dr Hames said while the river system was still in relatively good shape, people's rubbish was an additional pressure which could easily be eliminated.

"Summer is the time our rivers are on display and we should all take responsibility for making sure they are kept clean," he said.

"I would ask people to be particularly careful to remove their rubbish over this long weekend when the Australia Day fireworks are held."

Media contact: Caroline Lacy 9424 7450