Environmental volunteers have been left disgusted after they found a burnt-out bin filled with rubbish on a Noosa island.
The rubbish was discovered while Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) volunteers were conducting their weekly Noosa River clean-ups.
NICA president Tony Haslam said during their Thursday clean-up on 9 February on an island opposite the Coast Guard, he and NICA River Watch volunteer David Lewis retrieved the contents and melted remains of a 240 litre wheelie bin that had been filled with rubbish, tangled fishing line, and bottles and then set alight presumably by party goers.
“The resultant pollution was then just left for somebody else to worry about, so David and I collected it for proper disposal,” he said.
“You often hear people saying that Noosa is being loved to death, but these vandals don’t love Noosa. If they did they wouldn’t do this.”
Tony said the cutting of trees and vegetation for campfires was also evident on this small island, which is in full view of Munna Point.
NICA River Watch volunteers will be out in the NICA boat on Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5 March, and anyone who wants to join in with their own boat can register at the sign on site at the end of Thomas Street, Noosaville.
Site registration is now underway for next month’s clean-up, and residents are urged to register any areas they think need a good clean.
Noosa’s Clean Up Australia Day will be run by NICA with thanks to funding from Noosa Council. Event organisers expect there to be more than 20 clean-up sites on the day.
NICA said the national event served as a reminder of everyone’s collective duty to act responsibly and sustainability, and particularly in respect to the creation of waste and its disposal.
For more information, phone 5449 9650 or email admin@noosariver.com.au.
