By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A CHANGE in location for Hobsons Bay City Council’s Clean Up Australia efforts has caused controversy in the council chambers.
This year’s council-sponsored event was moved from Altona Coastal Park to the Paisley Challis Reserve Wetlands within Jawbone Reserve, where Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan was expected to attend.
A council review stated there was not enough litter at Altona Coastal Park to sustain volunteers’ enthusiasm and warrant council involvement.
Last week 19 Hobsons Bay clean-up sites had been registered on the website, with four in Jawbone Reserve and one in Altona.
At the 2 February council meeting Altona Ward councillor Tony Briffa said he was unhappy that council’s official site had moved from his ward, saying there were many locations in his area that could be cleaned up.
“I think it’s time we share it around,” he said, suggesting Cherry Lake as one possible area.
“There’s a lot of litter there that I saw on the weekend. It’s bloody filthy,” he said.
Cr Briffa suggested that council had only changed the site location to impress Mr Kiernan.
Williamstown Ward Cr Angela Altair said there was a greater need to clean up the Paisley Challis Reserve Wetlands, where the stormwater drains line the shore.
“It’s plain ugly and there are piles of rubbish against the shore,” she said.
