Northern beaches, creeks and parks targeted for this weekend’s Clean Up Australia Day

LAST year volunteers collected 13 tonnes of waste at various sites across Wollongong city as part of Clean Up Australia Day.

With the official Clean Up Australia Day campaign date on Sunday (March 7) the nationwide event will see community groups and volunteers clear rubbish from various sites in the northern suburbs this weekend.

The campaign kicks off on Friday (March 5) when 40 Wollongong schools take to their grounds to collect rubbish.

Volunteers will gather at Thirroul Beach, north of the surf club, to gather rubbish between 10am and midday on Saturday (March 6). On Sunday volunteers can register at Helensburgh, Bulli, Bellambi, Corrimal and Fairy Meadow to help clean different sites with a focus on waterways, roadsides, parks, reserve beaches and bushland areas.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery launched this year’s events and praised the continued efforts of local community members.

“Every year we see plastic, food packaging and cigarette butts as the most common types of rubbish being collected. Unfortunately, when they aren’t disposed of correctly, they end up in our waterways endangering our marine and bird life,” he said.

It is estimated that about 130,000 tonnes of plastic end up in waterways and our oceans across Australia each year.

“On Friday our younger generation will have an additional chance to get involved with 40 Wollongong schools lending a hand to make sure where they play, swim, run and have fun is rubbish free,” Cr Bradbery said.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to join us, not only on Clean Up Australia Day, but every day to reduce the rubbish and waste in our environment. It’s as simple as using our public bins or recycling at home. We all can play a part in keeping Wollongong a beautiful and healthy city.”

For those who would like to get involved, Council’s website has more details on the sites across the city.

To ensure the health and safety of our volunteers, cleaning up will look a little different this year with COVID safety measures in place. There will be QR codes to sign-in on arrival and a limit of 10 volunteers per group to ensure social distancing can be maintained. COVID Marshalls will be present at any large registration points.

If you are stepping up to the challenge don’t forget to pack a pair of gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a hat.

Saturday March 6

• Thirroul: Thirroul Beach, north of the Surf Club10am – 12pm

Sunday March 7

• Helensburgh: Old Mine Surgery, 78 Parkes Street – 10am – 1pm
• Bulli: Shark Bay, Slacky Creek, between Sandon Point and Waniora Point – 5pm – 7pm
• Bellambi: Lagoon, meet at table near bike track between Thalassa Avenue and Connaghan Avenue – 8am for 8.30am start
• Bellambi: Bellambi rock pool to Sandon Point. Meet at Bellambi – 1pm
• Corrimal: Mountbatten Park – 10.30am
• Fairy Meadow: Beach near Surf Club – 10am
• Fairy Meadow: Puckey’s Estate (enter from Fairy Meadow Surf Club end) – 9am – 12pm

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