Thirty years ago, a young Max Yusuf planted these trees to green and add life to a Campsie laneway. Now, the council landscape construction worker of 36 years, has returned to the same laneway to help a joint beautification project with Canterbury-Bankstown City’s Clean City Dumping Prevention team.
Dwarfed by the 10-metre tall jacaranda and flame trees he nurtured all those years ago, Yusuf said he’s proud to be part of the program which is aimed at rooting out dumpers.
Dispensary Lane at Campsie has been identified as a hotspot for illegal dumping due to its low visibility and large patches of bare soil.
As part of the laneway beautification, Yusuf laid a series of philodendron xanadu plants and mulch under the existing mature trees, creating a green carpet across the bare soil and transforming the laneway into a brighter and more welcoming space.
“It’s hoped that when people see that the area is neat and well-maintained, they are more inclined to look after it too,” Yusuf said.
Surveillance cameras have been installed in the area to catch those doing the wrong thing, while council rangers are working with local businesses to better manage their waste.
The project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said it was a simple solution and council will be looking to roll it out at other locations across the city.
“What was achieved in Dispensary Lane was a fantastic outcome,” El-Hayek said. “It brings a drab area to life and is just another means of getting people to think twice before they dump their rubbish.”
Yusuf said it’s rewarding to see his work grow and flourish over the years, and even more so to be used for a good cause.
Illegal dumping is a multi-million-dollar issue Australia-wide and it is usually local government left to foot the bill for clean-ups.
Just last week hundreds of tyres were dumped on the side of the road in Queensland, prompting a warning from the local council that offenders will be fined.
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