Litter campaign flushed with success

Greater Dandenong councillor Maria Sampey and council conservation projects officer Phoenix Wolfe at Dandenong Creek in Tirhatuan Park. 197738_02 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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A council campaign to reduce litter and pollution in Greater Dandenong’s creeks has won a Keep Victoria Beautiful award.

Greater Dandenong’s awareness program, dubbed the Living Rivers Project, was awarded the litter prevention trophy at the KVB Sustainable Cities awards.

Mayor Roz Blades said the council communicated its message across a large cross-section including school children, adults and traders.

The project told the story of how pollution blights our waterways with a childrens book and animation, a video and pull-up banner design competition and educational stormwater pit lids.

The council also created a food trader kit on healthy stormwater practice, and an educational animation for young adults.

“We have not only raised community awareness around ways to keep our waterways healthy but this program has the potential to be modelled by other organisations and Councils around the state,” Cr Blades said.

“To be recognised in this way is a testament to the City of Greater Dandenong’s commitment to be one of the most sustainable cities in Australia by 2030.”

She said the council had been recognised for its anti-pollution work in 2015 and 2017.