Rise & Shine

Rise & Shine is our longest-running environmental clean-up program. It was established in 1986.

Rise & Shine aims to increase pride in our city's presentation. It encourages the community to take part in a range of activities to improve the local environment, which helps to increase residents' quality of life, both now and for future generations.

Spring Clean Up program

This program is open to volunteer community groups and individuals to participate in removing rubbish and litter that has accumulated in public areas such as parks, creeks, beachfront reserves, and similar outdoor spaces.

To encourage a sense of ownership, many of the groups choose to work on areas and activities that reflect their philosophy or identity.  For example, a group may volunteer to clean up an area or section of a creek in their local area that they feel needs attention. The group will then decide on the resources needed to complete the task, and when the work will be done.

The program encourages participants to 'take the next step' and remove invasive weeds, such as Bitou Bush and lantana, and plant native seedlings as they clean the area.

This program is launched in September each year and runs throughout the year.

How it works

1. Request and arrange collection of your free Rise & Shine kit. The kit includes a bag, gloves and hand sanitiser.
2. Get collecting! Take your kit out and start picking up any litter you find – especially the small items and fragments of plastics like bottle lids, bread tags etc.
3. Stay clean and safe. Be sure to clean your hands thoroughly after handling rubbish and conduct a safety talk for all participants before you start. Children under the age of 15 need to be supervised by an adult at all times.
   
   Read our Rise & Shine Clean Up guide for tips on how to stay safe while you're volunteering.
4. Report a cleanup when you're done using the request button below. You'll also be asked to attach a list of participants DOCX, 597.84 KB to your report. Each group goes into our lucky draw to win prizes at our end of year celebration!
5. Rubbish collected will be removed by Council staff or waste contractors after we get your report.

Rise & Shine online requests

Use the button below to make a Rise & Shine request, including to:

• Register your group
• Request a rubbish pickup or other action
• Report a clean up

Annual presentation and awards evening

Everyone taking part in the Rise & Shine campaign is recognised for their efforts and achievements at an annual presentation evening. Special awards are presented to groups, individuals and schools that are considered to have excelled during the year.

Environmental education events

More information

For more information on Rise & Shine, email or call us on (02) 4227 7111.