Locals still waiting for roadside rubbish solution

ROAD authorities remain in discussions about cleaning up litter at the Bellarine’s Murradoc Road as community frustration at the area’s presentation continues.

The City of Greater Geelong is working to secure “specialised staff” to clean up the area beside the high-speed road after state agencies shifted responsibility.

The state government had indicated in May it would clear the road, which links St Leonards and Drysdale and gives access to the nearby Drysdale Resource and Recovery Centre.

But the state had changed its mind by mid-June and directed the city to complete the task.

A letter from Roads Minister Melissa Horne to community members regarding the issue indicated the Department of Transport and Planning had “identified that COGG has a general environmental duty” as operator of the tip.

“DTP has contacted CoGG to advise of this ongoing concern and their responsibility under the EPA,” the letter stated.

The city’s acting city infrastructure executive director David Greaves said the city was aware of the issue.

“We are currently working with VicRoads regarding the utilisation of one of their contractors to undertake these clean up works as this requires specialised staff due to the high-speed nature of traffic along this stretch of road.

“The city have worked hard to create waste solutions for our community with two free hard waste collections and local Resource Recovery Centres in North Geelong and Drysdale.

“We urge community members to consider the impact of rubbish dumping on the environment and the community.”

St Leonards residents have called the issue an “environmental disaster” in recent months, raising concerns about the impact of accumulating waste on nearby wildlife populations.

Community members also say they’ve been frustrated in their attempts to have the problem rectified since Christmas, with their appeals to state and local government resulting in little action.