Momentum is building from the concerned public, and the broader business community to prevent rubbish from entering Victoria Harbour from the Yarra River.

This petition is your chance to have a say, and with your help, achieve a positive outcome.

Docklands News : April 2026 Edition - Background information

A Docklands Harbour representative is proposing that a relatively modest intervention would dramatically reduce litter flowing into the waterway and improve one of the precinct’s most visible public assets.

Harvey Cleggett, who represents harbour boat owners, and says he is advocating more broadly on behalf of local residents, has been pressing government and agency stakeholders to support a trial floating boom near the Bolte Bridge pylons where litter enters Victoria Harbour from the Yarra River. According to Mr Cleggett, the problem is especially noticeable after heavy rain periods, and during easterly and southerly wind conditions.

He says resolution of the litter influx issue has been identified for decades, siting a detailed consultancy commissioned by the former Docklands Authority in 2001. In it, a recommendation was proposed for a low-level deflection rock wall to be installed near the Bolte Bridge pylons, spanning the 90 metres of open water through which the rubbish enters the harbour. Mr Cleggett said respective governments had never implemented this solution due to an estimated installation cost of $200,000 to $230,000.

Believing that a permanent rock wall was unlikely to receive immediate endorsement due to the cost, and because the concept remains untested in practice, Mr Cleggett has instead proposed what he describes as a ‘proof of concept’ floating boom. He says the boom would have a life expectancy of three to five years, and would demonstrate whether a permanent structure was capable of preventing up to 95 per cent of the daily rubbish from entering the harbour, while at the same time capturing the litter for collection. He said he had obtained multiple quotes for the boom and the stabilising blocks required to secure it, with the total installation cost in each quote being less than $30,000.

Mr Cleggett indicated the proposal was developed after months of direct observation at the Bolte Bridge, assessing current flows, wind directions, and rubbish movement. As well he has had discussions with multiple engineers and the Community 3008 co-president Jamal Hakim.

To build support, he sought and received letters backing the floating boom concept from the chief executives of the AFL, The Gurner Group, Lendlease and MAB, with each letter addressed to the Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos.

Despite all this, he says his efforts to secure a government agency willing to champion the proposal has been frustrating. 

As such, he is seeking support from the harbour residents, their family and friends, with the final result to be presented to the Environment Minister.