Dispose of your waste correctly this Christmas and New Year

Published on 15 December 2023

Residents and visitors to the Gannawarra are encouraged to dispose of their waste correctly during the Christmas and New Year period.

Gannawarra Shire Council has received an increase in the reported illegal dumping of waste throughout the municipality during the past six months, particularly the southeastern area of the municipality.

“Disposing of household and other waste correctly not only ensures the safe removal of items, it also reduces the presence of materials that can impact our health, pollute our environment and threaten wildlife,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“If illegally dumped rubbish contains toxic materials, such as chemicals, asbestos and fuel, these can seep into the ground causing contamination. Likewise, illegally placed combustible materials such as furniture and green waste can become a fire risk.”

Residents and visitors can play their role in disposing waste correctly in the following ways:

• Residents can use their kerbside waste and recycling collection service to dispose of items. Please note that services scheduled for Monday, 25 December 2023 will occur on Saturday, 23 December 2023, and services scheduled for Monday, 1 January 2024 will occur on Saturday, 30 December 2023.
• Waste and recycling items can be taken to any of Council’s transfer stations, located at Cohuna, Kerang, Lalbert and Quambatook, for disposal. Locations and operating hours can be found by clicking on the Transfer Stations heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/waste. Please note that the Kerang Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, 26 December.
• Campsite waste can be disposed of at any of Council’s transfer stations or at the following locations from 20 December 2023 to 15 January 2024:
  • Cohuna Ski Run.
  • The northern end of Kangaroo Lake.
  • Kerang-Koondrook Road entrance to Koondrook.
  • Lake Charm Hall.
  • Near the Murrabit public toilets.
  • Near the Spences Bridge entrance to Gunbower National Park.

“If we all do our bit, the Gannawarra will continue to be a great place to live and visit,” Mr Rollinson said.

Anyone who sees what they suspect is illegal dumping can report it to Environment Protection Authority Victoria online at  www.epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution or by phoning 1300 372 842.