Seabins switched off to protect ducks

Last month Docklands News reported the introduction of Seabins at Yarra’s Edge Marina, but the water-cleaning technology was switched off after ducklings were spotted in the area.

On February 20, the Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio Cr Cathy Oke said Seabins would be turned on again “in the next week or two once an assessment has been made that it is safe to do so”.

“Communications were sent out to marina users to inform them that the Seabins were being turned off for this reason,” Cr Oke said.

There were five Seabins installed in the marina. Four have been turned off to protect the ducklings, while a fifth is undergoing maintenance.

Local resident Malcolm Fearn was one of a number of residents who wrote to Docklands News expressing disappointment with rubbish collection in the precinct.

“My ‘observations’ of four bin locations, show one bin no longer in place and three others not working,” he said.

“Furthermore, despite the Yarra’s Edge marina’s east and west arms each having two recycle yellow lid bins and a large green general rubbish bin, the recycle bins are emptied into the same Citywide rubbish collection truck. So much for Council’s recycle ideals.”

“Marina users do the right thing but why bother.” •\