Aussies called out for 'despicable' public BBQ act over Christmas period: 'Grubs'
Melbourne dog walker Adin Monks found his local park's BBQ area covered in rubbish, condiments and half drunk bottles of beer bottles this morning.
As many of us flock to common public areas to enjoy a BBQ over the Christmas break, some are being called out for the messy aftermath they're leaving behind with fed-ups Aussies calling out the poor behaviour.
Adin Monks was walking his dog around Lilydale Lake, a popular outdoor area in eastern Melbourne, on Monday morning like he always does when he spotted a "disgraceful" amount of rubbish left in the communal area.
"[There was] leftover meat, sauces, trays. They didn't bother to take anything with them at all," he told Yahoo News Australia.
"Normally when rubbish is left like that it's mostly just bottles or wrappers but leaving everything is a whole new level of disrespect," he lamented, posting photos online to excoriate those responsible.
Adin explained that litter "is not uncommon around the lake" during the holidays but "never has it been this bad".
"Lilydale Lake is such a beautiful place and [it's] a big part of our community. It's where some of us go to exercise, walk our dogs, meditate, meet with friends, kayak, play with our kids, and so much more," he said. "Is it too hard to treat this place with some respect and care? Pick up your rubbish!"
Aussies slam 'grubby' BBQ act
After Adin shared his thoughts online, many others condemned the behaviour and called the litterers "grubs" who "should be ashamed of themselves".
"Absolutely despicable. What pigs!! Makes my blood boil," one local said, while another waste disposal worker said he found countless bags of waste and loose recyclables overflowing at a public park in Warburton on Boxing Day.
"It's really sad to see the state people leave s**t in," he said.
Litter continues to spoil the Aussie landscape
Like many public parks across the country, Lilydale Lake and its surroundings are no stranger to the littering issues. It got so bad a few years ago that another local, Grant Bannister, launched an initiative and offered a $500 prize to anyone who picked up litter and submitted footage of them doing so online, the Mount Evelyn Mail reported.
Adin explained there is signage around the lake and Yarra Ranges Council does a "good job when it comes to keeping the place clean" but the ongoing issue is disheartening for residents like him.
Campsites and beaches also face this issue, with some Aussies pushing for tougher penalties for those caught littering. On Boxing Day, a huge waste collection effort commenced after thousands of beachgoers partied at Sydney's Bronte beach and discarded their rubbish on the sand and grass.
Earlier in the year, campers left their waste at Kosciuszko National Park in NSW's Snowy Mountains, spoiling the landscape where many native plants and wildlife are found.
"Littering unfortunately remains an ongoing issue within Kosciuszko National Park, and addressing this concern is a priority," a spokesperson for the service told Yahoo News at the time.
Fines are associated with littering in every state and territory in Australia, with litterers facing $500 in NSW and $322 in Queensland. However it is difficult to catch those responsible, meaning there are seldom repercussions unless the offence is recorded or reported.
"I didn't [report it as] there was no one around there at that time of morning... I hoped the post [online] would bring the right attention to the issue," Adin said. "Just have some form of decency and morals."
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