Get involved and keep our city beautiful

Image: Students from East Woonona Public School take part in Clean Up Australia Day March 2020

Local school students will head to Woonona beach this Friday [February 28] to replace litter with low-lying shrubs and grasses for the launch of Clean Up Australia Day 2020.

Celebrating 30 years of Clean Up Australia Day local community groups will then have their opportunity to take part in cleaning up sites throughout the city on Sunday 1 March.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM will join students from East Woonona Public School for the clean-up efforts.

“We know that our younger generations are passionate about their local beaches and parks and it’s great that students from East Woonona Public School are coming along this Friday to help tidy and plant along the dunes,” Cr Bradbery said. “We also will be working with the local Woonona community on Sunday as part of the official day.

“Cigarette butts, plastics and packaging are the most common types of rubbish we find in the city. This rubbish makes it way to our beaches through the stormwater system. This rubbish can have a devastating impact on our marine and bird life.

“This year, Clean Up Australia Day will focus on improving waterways, roadsides, parks, reserve, beaches and bushland areas. There’s a lot going on this weekend with 40 schools getting involved and another 25 community sites where volunteers can register and take part. I’d like to encourage everyone to join us to reduce the rubbish in our environment and help make Wollongong a beautiful and healthy place to live.”

Last year volunteers collected more than eight tonnes of garbage from various sites throughout the Wollongong local government area. It is estimated that about 130,000 tonnes of Australia plastic ends up in waterways and ocean each year.

Council’s website has details of the registration points.

All clean up bags and registration forms will be provided on Sunday 1 March from 9am to 12 noon at the registration points.

Volunteers are asked to bring along their own gloves, sturdy footwear and to remember to slip, slop and slap.