Frustrations about the amount of rubbish dumped at Eunony Reserve has prompted one Wagga organisation to take action and call on perpetrators to stop damaging the environment.
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Last Sunday, non-governmental organisation OzFish Wagga Chapter took more than 1.5 tonnes of rubbish at the reserve to the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.
Among the rubbish were car parts, mattresses, washing machines, a lawn mower and domestic waste.
The cleanup operation by OzFish Wagga, which consists of recreational fishers engaged in sustainable environmental practices, involved more than 11 volunteers, two hours and six utility vehicles.
Grant Higginson, a founding member of the organisation, said there was “rubbish everywhere, including the river”.
“We’re just sick of it – what annoys us most is people who go and deliberately dump bulky items,” he said.
“More than a dozen bumper cars, about eight or nine tyres and wheels, and three washing machines.
“We could’ve built two cars from all the car parts we found.”
Similarly, OzFish Wagga president Hugh Kanaley said it was “disgusting behaviour” by those who dump bulky rubbish.
“It’s disrespectful to everyone else,” Mr Kanaley said.
“The amount of utter rubbish we found was only from about half of the reserve.
“It took about 11 of us to do two hours, so I’m sure there’s more.”
As for the large amount of domestic waste also found, Mr Kanaley urged visitors to “clean up after yourselves”.
“The most frequent thing we came across was takeaway rubbish – it wouldn’t be a shock to pick up 10 straws within a few metres,” he said.
“If it’s easy to take it in to the reserve, it should also be easy to take it out.”
The Riverina Local Land Services manage Eunony Reserve, which is listed as a travelling stock reserve used for recreation activities and grazing.
The dumping of rubbish at the reserve is illegal under the Local Land Services Act 2013.
Fines of up to $5500 may apply to people caught conducting illegal activities in TSRs.
RLLS’ general manager Rob Kelly said they would be increasing patrols from police and installing surveillance cameras of the area.
“To identify those people who seek to damage the reserve as a public asset,” Mr Kelly said.
“This action along with community education and engagement with the reserve is hoped to bring a change in the condition and value of the reserve.”
RLLS permitted OzFish Wagga to clean the reserve in preparation for the Gumi event, which begins from the reserve.
The cleanup by OzFish Wagga was its first and the organisation is set to host additional cleanup operations at the site.
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