14 October 2022
Published 02 March 2020
Moreton Bay’s Record Clean Up Australia Day
It’s the biggest Clean Up Australia Day (CUAD) event Moreton Bay Region’s ever seen and organisers are already planning to make 2021 bigger again!
Over the weekend thousands of volunteers took to the streets, parks, waterways and beaches with bins and bags to keep our region the cleanest and greenest in south east Queensland.
Acting Mayor Mike Charlton said 147 clean-up sites were registered with Council for the event’s 30th anniversary.
“This was the biggest rally we’ve ever seen with families, businesses, schools, and community groups all enthusiastically turning out,” Cr Charlton said.
“The initial weigh-in has recorded more than 840kg of general waste and 920kg of recycled materials collected from across the CUAD sites.
“These numbers will only increase as more loads are disposed and recycled at Council’s Waste Facilities.”
Spokesperson for Waste Operations Cr Adam Hain said he was heartened by changing community attitudes towards sustainability and waste management.
“We know we need to change the way we manage waste in the interests of the planet’s future and it’s great to see the momentum and determination to drive that change is coming from locals,” Cr Hain said.
“It was fantastic to see so many locals getting their hands dirty for a good cause and inspiring passers-by to get involved or just have a chat about disposing of rubbish responsibly.”
Osprey House Environmental Centre volunteer Bev Kidby said the group was proud to once again be involved in CUAD.
“We’re like a well-oiled machine after 20 years of CUAD events,” she said.
“It may be a busy morning of cleaning up, but it’s an important community day to show up, step up and clean up our neighbourhoods.
“This year we had around 35 volunteers work together to clean up along Dohles Rocks Road, from the Bruce Highway to the North Pine River.
“Over the years we’ve noticed with new products comes new waste, with takeaway coffee cups and lids thrown carelessly out of cars becoming a serious problem.”
Sustainability Ambassador for Queensland and IKEA North Lakes employee Donna Morawiak said her group focussed on an overlooked area for the 2020 business CUAD.
“This year, 15 co-workers from IKEA North Lakes and Logan chose to concentrate on the Melaleuca Lakes and Parklands, an area close to our North Lakes store that didn’t have any love from other clean up groups,” she said.
“In total we packed 17 full bags of waste including six that contained recycling such as bottles and cans.
“It was truly disheartening to see the amount and type of rubbish in our waterways, from old car tyres to a bicycle, road signs and cushions, aside from the usual plastic bottles and coffee cups.
“We hope to get even more employees involved next year as we continue our commitment to keeping Moreton Bay clean.”