Dumping of green waste into bushland reserves or National Parks is very common in the Noosa Shire, and probably every Shire in populated areas of Australia. I would like to think that if people knew the issues with dumping, they wouldn’t do it.
Every Bushland reserve that I have worked in for Noosa council has green waste dumped in it. Palm fronds, grass clippings and branches are frequently thrown over the back fence from houses backing on to bushland. It’s these items that seem to be an unknown risk, as homes owners often say to me it’s just a palm frond or a bit of grass.
The palm fronds and branches are a trip hazard for Council staff and contractors. Most weeds grow along the edge of bushland, so it’s in this area that people need to walk around, often with heavy back packs. Piles of branches or palm fronds get covered over by other vegetation and the risk of injury from stepping through them is high.
Grass clippings are full of grass seed. It’s very common to see weedy grasses growing out from these piles and impacting the bushland.
Plants that grow vegetatively are the worst culprits for spreading into bushland from being dumped. They don’t need to seed to form a new plant but grow from pieces of stem or branch. Plants like Creeping Inch Plant, Singapore Daisy, Mother in Law’s Tongue and Lantana will spread this way. Syngonium (Arrow Head Plant) has been a popular house plant recently and is now showing up in the bush. It’s hard to control and covers the ground and climbs native plants.
So how can green waste dumping be reported? Noosa Council, along with many other councils, are using an app to allow residents to report dumping and other concerns. By making a report, the issue is passed onto council employees who record and deal with the waste but can also talk to residents to educate them about the risks. The link below explains how to download the app. It’s very efficient and with a few clicks it’s done. It is also possible to call council to report green waste dumping.
