Rubbish “blown like tumbleweed” leads to site inspection

QUAY residents’ concerns about rubbish being blown from building sites by strong wind last week have led to a site inspection by the Surf Coast Shire’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) officer.

Members of the Quay Residents Assoc Facebook page expressed their concerns online last week at the litter blowing off nearby building sites into the neighbouring streets.

Debris included foam offcuts and plastic bags, which many residents cleaned up themselves.

Surf Coast Shire EPA Officer for Protection of the Local Environment Rob Armstrong said he inspected the site and spoke to a builder from a nearby block, outlining environmental obligations and completing an inspection report.

“In general terms, builders need to pick up any loose litter on building sites, secure loose materials and empty skip bins regularly.

“Styrofoam material needs to be segregated and secured in bags and waffle pods secured under netting inside site fences, using robust pegs. “Builders should arrange for waste offcuts to be picked up in a timely manner.

“Any reports of building site litter will continue to be investigated and consideration of compliance and enforcement action will be in accordance with EPA Compliance and Enforcement Policy.”

Quay residents say huge bags of foam have also been seem “blowing down the streets like tumbleweed”, with one resident reportedly seeing at least eight of the bags make their way down the street in high wind.