Waste Reduction Partnership a Big Success for Goughs Bay
Published on 03 May 2024
Programs to reduce peak-season waste in Gough’s Bay’s public spaces have been a resounding success this year despite increased visitor numbers, leading the way for further initiatives across Mansfield Shire.
Residents and visitors may remember the summer of 2022-23, when Goughs Bay faced overflowing public bins and inappropriate dumping during holiday periods.
Determined to prevent a repeat in 2023-24, the Gough’s Bay Area Progress Association (GBAPA) partnered with Council and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFM) in an information and education campaign to promote the “carry-in – carry-out” approach, as well as boosting public bin collections and providing a backup disposal option.
The successful campaign even saw particularly generous campers and community members chipping in to collect others’ waste and dispose of it responsibly.
Brochures and posters were handed out to campers in the Delatite Arm Reserve and placed in toilet blocks and public areas.
Mansfield’s Resource Recovery Centre offered free disposal for campers between 22 December and 7 January and on long weekends. A total of 739 bags of waste were handed in up to and during Easter – waste that could otherwise have ended up in the reserve or in the Delatite River.
Over 100 bags of waste were handed in on each long weekend.
GBAPA committee member Ian Nelson said the campaign was such a success that he had asked Council to extend next year’s free disposal period for campers from 22 December to the end of January.
“This will make our messaging to campers much clearer as well as reducing unwanted waste within the Delatite Arm Reserve and in Goughs Bay and other locations,” he said.
“I’m so delighted to have Council's waste team and FFM working together with us on this for the first time. Each group had been trying to solve the problem on their own, but with cooperation and support we’ve been able to achieve a much better result.
“While at times we did have bins overflowing and bags on the ground at the general store and at Picnic Point, the situation was eased by Council agreeing to three bin collections per week at these two locations.
“Our work is continuing and we will keep reviewing the situation and refining our tactics,” said Mr Nelson.
Given the success of the partnership, Council is now extending the Resource Recovery Centre’s free disposal option for campers to all long weekends throughout the year.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council was thrilled with the outcomes achieved.
“We want it to be really easy for people to do the right thing,” he said.
“This option also saves ratepayers’ money by avoiding the costs to collect the mountain of rubbish that formed around public bins last year.
“The GBAPA’s initiative has made a fantastic difference for Gough’s Bay, and we’re proud to support their request. With the drop-off option now ongoing, other townships can benefit as well.
“We’re grateful to all the residents and visitors who participated. Thanks to you, everyone can continue to enjoy Gough’s Bay’s beautiful natural surroundings.”