Towards litter-free roads

CITY of Greater Dandenong has received $48,000 to tackle roadside littering.
South eastern metropolitan region MP Inga Peulich announced the State Government Roadside Litter Prevention grant last week.
“These grants encourage partnerships from community, business and government to address the challenge of roadside litter,” she said.
“Greater Dandenong’s Roadside Litter Campaign will focus on main roads within Dandenong, targeting commuters and residents.
“This strategy will be supported by roadside signage, car litter bags and high level enforcement.”
Ms Peulich said along with improving the local environment in Greater Dandenong, the grant would help reduce the high cost of littering on the community.
“Councils spend a combined $1.7 million a year on removing roadside litter in Victoria,” she said.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Angela Long welcomed the grant.
“It’s a welcome boost to extend strategies which tackle this important issue across Greater Dandenong,” she said.
“The council takes a comprehensive approach to roadside litter, being strong education, co-ordinated enforcement and smart infrastructure – all of which contribute toward tacking roadside litter.
“The grant will be used to encourage drivers and vehicle passengers to be more responsible about dealing with waste.”
Cr Long said the council would enter into partnerships with local car dealers to provide litter bags in vehicles being sold.
“The council will reinforce the key messages about roadside dumping through the use of signage on main roads, which will be designed to allow a series of varied messages to be provided to vehicle occupants,” she said.
“Our litter collection and enforcement vehicles will be marked with a range of messages about responsible car user behaviour.
“And we will encourage reporting of littering that will be followed up through both pro-active and reactive enforcement.”