Litter maintenance petition proposed in Walpole

Walpole residents signed a petition to the State Government relating to waste and rubbish management at a community presentation at the Walpole Community Centre last Wednesday.

The evening consisted of a presentation by Keep Australia Beautiful ambassador and highway cleaner Michael Filby, inquiries by the Walpole community attending, as well as the announcement of a petition for the State Government to help fund work to continue to clean the highways near Walpole and Manjimup.

Mr Filby said the highway’s impression to visitors and those passing through was a crucial reason for the maintenance of the cleanliness of the roads.

“The Number 1 Highway bisects the forest roads for 150km and every visitor that enters, that’s their first impression of this area and if it’s covered in rotting tissues, nappies and broken glass, that is not the image we want to project to the world,” he said.

“Natural beauty and the environment are prominent to why people come to Walpole and all we have to do is protect it and maintain it.

“Every tourist that comes here is impressed by the environment and the natural landscape.”

He Mr Filby said the timing of the petition was significant and it was an important time to approach to the State Government and the Upper House for help in creating a solution.

“It’s a prime time for now to approach the government and the Upper House,” he said.

“I’ve been around too long and cleaning up the highway has become too successful and we can’t duplicate it.

“It’s to ask the government to consider financing cleaning the highway that bisect the Walpole Wilderness and the nature around it will deteriorate quickly if we don’t find an answer to replace it.”

Mr Filby said the petition would be circulated to other towns, including Denmark and Manjimup, before being sent to the State government.

“The petition is currently in Denmark and I am planning to bring it to Manjimup soon as well,” he said.