Clean up the harbour this Saturday
Wollongong’s Land and Sea Cleanup returns to Belmore Basin on Saturday 5th March at 9am for Clean up Australia Day to continue the tradition of joining together as one team to clean the harbour. Due to the weather this year efforts will be focused on land. Brighton Beach near the Continental Pool wi
Wollongong’s Land and Sea Cleanup returns to Belmore Basin on Saturday 5th March at 9am for Clean up Australia Day to continue the tradition of joining together as one team to clean the harbour. Due to the weather this year efforts will be focused on land. Brighton Beach near the Continental Pool will be the new meeting place.
Sandra Dohring from Wollongong Freedivers said: “I’m so proud of this event and the community support it receives every year. The key to its success is the collaboration of many different environmental groups, the Rotary Club of Wollongong, Surfrider South Coast and Wollongong City Council who all play a role in organising the day and bringing new people along each year.”
“As a freediver, I see the effect of single use plastic on the marine environment, every time I dive. We need to stop single use plastic at the source, and over the years I’ve seen the volume of rubbish pulled out of the harbour gradually reduce. I think there is more awareness in the community these days, and food retailers are making better choices about reducing single use plastic packaging.”
Ms Dohring, who is originally from Reunion Island, said she started the Land and Sea clean up in 2019 to bring the community together as one and cover the land, the surface of the water and the seabed.
“Every year, up to 160 people attend this unique event and remove up to 700kg of waste from Wollongong Harbour”
Susie Crick from Surfrider South Coast said: “This Saturday, Surfrider South Coast branch will be gathering at Wollongong Harbour at 9am to take part in Clean Up Australia day. Surfrider South coast branch recently collaborated with Wollongong City Council and installed 15 Ocean Friendly Drain buddies in prime locations around Belmore Basin and Wollongong Harbour to capture and sieve litter before it hits our beaches.”
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“Whilst many Australian beaches appear to be quite clean, recent research calculates that 70% |
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of garbage that enters our oceans sinks to the sea bed, 15% floats and the other 15% ends up on beaches. Cigarette butts used to be the most common items found at beach clean ups, however now disposable face masks are littered everywhere.” Ms Crick said. “As individuals we can make choices with our wallets by refusing to buy plastic products, and with our pens by writing and posting our dislike of unnecessary plastics to companies who refuse to move away from plastic. Every bit of plastic we use now will be there for future generations and much of it will disperse beyond reach.” |
There will be a new meeting place this year at Brighton Beach near the Continental Pool, which will provide more space for volunteers to access the water, breakwall and beach around the harbour. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a friend or group to socialize with while cleaning the foreshore.
Groups involved in this event include Wollongong Freedivers, Surfrider South Coast, Women Make Waves, Wollongong City Council & The Rotary Club of Wollongong.
Check out the Event page and follow the Facebook page.
