LITTER TRAPS HELP CLEAN UP PORT PHILLIP BAY
2 December 2004
A $650,000 project to install two litter traps in Frankston will prevent about 250 cubic metres, or 25 large truckloads, of litter from flowing down a local creek and into Port Phillip Bay each year.
Melbourne Water will begin work next week to construct the litter traps on the Skye Road Drain and Karingal Main Drain, which will stop litter from flowing downstream into Kananook Creek and eventually the Bay.
Melbourne Water Acting Managing Director Grant Wilson said the litter traps would consist of a series of nets, which would allow water to pass through. The litter and debris would be held until routine cleaning.
"Litter is the most visible form of water pollution. Stormwater carries litter from Melbourne’s streets and without intervention, much of it can be washed into Port Phillip Bay," Mr Wilson said.
"Melbourne Water operates 60 litter traps on main stormwater drains and rivers, and works with councils to improve stormwater management, with a particular focus on litter prevention."
The Skye Road Drain litter trap will contain five nets and the Karingal Main Drain will contain eight nets, with a combined capacity to trap 21 cubic metres of litter.
The litter traps will be constructed within Melbourne Water’s Skye Road Retarding Basin. The project is expected to be completed by June 2005.
Melbourne Water invests about $23 million a year on protecting and improving rivers and creeks. The Healthy Rivers Program is funded through drainage rate contributions.