Redland City Council is encouraging the community to become involved in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day.
Mayor Karen Williams said local residents could join an existing Clean Up group or create their own, with registrations for the March 7 event now open.
Businesses, community groups, schools and individuals can all take part.
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“Getting involved will benefit the Redlands Coast community by creating a cleaner environment and protecting our waterways for everyone to enjoy,” Cr Williams said.
“Clean Up Australia Day is as much about preventing rubbish from entering the environment as it is about cleaning it up.”
Council will supply bins to event organisers, if requested by Friday 26 February, for waste and recyclable materials collected on the day.
Clean Up Australia chairman Pip Kiernan said now was the time for all Australians to step up and help.
“Last year saw disruption to our lives, not least of all to our local environments which have been impacted by increased uptake of single-use, disposable items,” Ms Kiernan said.
“COVID-19 has significantly impacted local environments with a surge in single-use disposable items such as takeaway coffee cups, food packaging, masks and sanitised wipes – all of which have polluted parks, bushland, streets, waterways and beaches.”
According to The Pact Group Community Attitudes to Waste and Recycling Report (July 2020), more than a third (34%) of Australian households reported producing more packaging waste during lockdown periods compared to previous years. More than half (55%) of those surveyed said they were now more concerned about product packaging waste than they were in 2019.
“By planning ahead and signing up to a Clean Up event, you are making a pledge to help conserve the environment for the long-term future, and taking an important action by stepping up for your community,” Ms Kiernan said.
Cr Williams said that in response to COVID-19, additional conditions would be put in place to ensure the health and safety of Clean Up volunteers. There will be limits to volunteer numbers at each event and Clean Up kits will include hand sanitiser and QR codes for registration.
Redlands Coast Clean Up events have already been registered at the following locations:
- goochie mudlo (Coochiemudlo Island)
- Victoria Point foreshore
- Cascade Gardens and Ern Dowling Parklands, Victoria Point
- South Street Conservation Area, Cleveland
- Point Lookout, Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
- Peel Street, Redland Bay
- Merrill and Rob Ovendon Park Creek Catchment, Birkdale
- Wynnum Redlands Canoe Club, Thorneside.
The Clean Up Australia Day campaign also includes a Business Clean Up Day on March 2 and School Clean Up Day on March 5. To sign up to an event, register your own or make a donation, visit cleanup.org.au.
