Walpole’s litter advocate hits back at ‘unsatisfactory’ State Government response to concerns

A Walpole litter advocate has hit back at the State Government after he was left unsatisfied by its response to his concerns about used toilet paper strewn along a section of the Highway 1. The Times reported earlier this month Michael Filby had had enough with the lack of response from Main Roads and the Government to his persistent request for the highway litter to be better managed. Main Roads did not respond to the Times at that stage, but a State Government spokesperson said it supported litter collection on the road through the Keep Australia Beautiful Council. But, Mr Filby has hit back saying “it’s time the current State Government, and its spokesman, stopped issuing platitudes and acknowledge the problem”. “The (spokesman) stated that the highway either side of Walpole was covered by Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) WA Adopt a Spot program,” Mr Filby said. “Well, in this region, I am the Adopt a Spot program,” he said. Since Adopt a Spot was implemented, Mr Filby has taken on the longest and largest Adopt a Spot site varying from 104-110km of Highway 1, currently standing at 170km. He said he has followed the protocols, programs and initiatives set by the Government and community, including reporting on offenders. “I have been an official litter reporter since 2004 and played a pivotal role in prosecutions,” he said. “I carry advertising on my vehicle every day of the year and promoted KAB activities in the media, both print and free to air TV. “But in Western Australia KAB is a minor player in the State Government — totally underfunded to contemplate major highway cleaning. “This section of the No. 1 Highway bisecting the Walpole Wilderness is generally regarded as the cleanest in Australia relating to the density of litter per km.” One of the main issues he raised is the lack of toilets and options for litter to be disposed of along the highway. Frequented by tourists and an increase in visitors during the holiday and summer seasons, Mr Filby said the environment becomes a dumping ground for toilet paper and tissues. There are only 12 rest areas on the highway between Manjimup and Denmark, none of which provide toilet facilities he said. Mr Filby said he cleaned-up more than 1000 discarded used toilet tissues spread out along the highway while picking up litter earlier this month. Turning 80 next year, he is eager to talk with Main Roads, the Government and community about a long-term sustainable solution to combat litter in the area because he cannot continue forever. However, he feels there is no response to the issue. Mr Filby said it’s time to recognise the reason the roads remain clean is because he consistently picks up the litter, however, this does not address the issue of the highway as a dumping ground for toilet paper.