A record rubbish haul

By Sheree Hoddinett  

More than seven tonnes of waste was collected as part of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day effort across City of Moreton Bay. 

Vapes and car parts were just some of the environmentally destructive waste items uncovered in what was one of the city’s best efforts for Clean Up Australia Day in recent times, with a record 160 sites registered and more than 2500 volunteers. 

On the Island, a large group of volunteers, including State Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan, tackled the area behind Bribie Island Shopping Centre. 

“It was fantastic to join Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA) members and local volunteers for Clean Up Australia Day, just another great example of what can be achieved when the community comes together,” Ms Doolan said. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have passionate locals who take pride in keeping our environment clean and help to enhance sustainability in the region.  

“I was also pleased to be there alongside my colleague Minister for the Environment and Member for Glasshouse Andrew Powell, who joined us for the morning to meet with some of the volunteers and assist with clean-up efforts at Hornsby Road behind the shopping centre.”  

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said it was great to see so many people volunteer, but was dismayed by the volume of waste being left carelessly for others to clean up.  

“We had such a great turnout with families, friends, school groups, faith-based groups and community groups rolling up their sleeves to help keep our city beautiful,” he said. “Together, these volunteers worked to remove more than seven tonnes of waste from our parks, bushlands, waterways and neighbourhoods, which is an amazing effort. However, it is concerning such a large volume of waste has been carelessly disposed of in our natural environment.” 

A large amount of the clean-up was general waste, with items including vapes, car parts, building materials, bike frames and even solar spotlights collected.  

“The haul also included 520kg of recyclables and 820kgs of tyres, which shows we need to continue to support our community to reduce and better manage waste,” Mayor Flannery said. “As we go green as we grow, it’s more important than ever for residents to take responsibility for waste disposal and for council to continue to support initiatives like Clean Up Australia Day, which we’ve been part of for more than a decade now.” 

Clean Up Australia Day is just one of the sustainable waste campaigns council is involved in. Others include:  

• Plastic Free July 

• National Recycling Week 

• International Composting Awareness Week  

• Their annual Garage Sale Trail 

Council also offers waste education programs to help reduce, sort and better manage waste. To help keep City of Moreton Bay clean now and well into the future, council urges residents to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully, to pick up litter when they see it and report illegal dumping to council. 

For more information visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Waste-Recycling/Rethink-Waste