Main Roads WA bulldoze Marbelup rest area after campers and motorists dump razors, food waste and excrement

A rest stop on South Coast Highway between Albany and Denmark has been closed for good after holidaymakers and illegal campers trashed the area over Easter.

Main Roads WA removed the bins, bulldozed the Marbelup pit-stop and then blocked access, after visitors left rubbish, which included everything from food waste to razors and a portable toilet filled with excrement.

A Main Roads statement said it was not the first time they had removed the bins because of illegal dumping.

“Rest areas may be closed for a number of reasons, with safety for drivers and illegal dumping among the key reasons,” the statement said.

“Rubbish bins are provided at most rest areas across the Great Southern Region, however the Marbelup rest area, like many other stopping places closer to townsites, had its bins removed due to the excessive amount of illegal dumping of household refuse.”

The City of Albany’s sustainability and waste strategy coordinator Julia Passmore called on motorists to take their rubbish home with them.

“We encourage everyone to carry out what they carry in when visiting local attractions,” she said.

“Fortunately most visitors did the right thing over the recent holiday period.

“With more than 400 public bins across Albany and the Hanrahan Road Waste Facility open daily, there are always better options than dumping or littering.”

Roadsides are some of the most littered sites in the State, according to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

“If there is no bin, or the bin is full, take your rubbish with you and dispose of it responsibly when another bin is available,” a department spokesperson said.

“Keep Australia Beautiful WA and Main Roads WA have collaborated for more than 10 years to provide 10,000 Outback Packs per year.

“The packs contain litter bags and accessories to enable motorists to conduct clean-ups along the way.”

The packs are available at visitor centres throughout WA and at Albany Library.

Since 2023, Main Roads has closed nine rest areas, built 11 and upgraded 12.