Clean-Up Australia Day is Sunday 5 March this year and once again the whole of the Noosa community is encouraged to help remove any litter and rubbish from our parks and streets, waterways, wetlands and along the foreshores and beaches of our beautiful region.
The national CUAD event has been coordinated locally for many years by community group NICA (Noosa Integrated Catchment Association).
This year NICA volunteer Joe Jurisevic has organised 18 registration and collection sites across the Noosa region, including six in the hinterland, three along the eastern beaches and nine around the lower Noosa River and lakes.
Between 8am and 11am on 5 March, all residents and visitors are invited to register at one of the 18 sites, search and collect for rubbish in the vicinity, and return it to the sign-on point for proper disposal.
Gloves and collecting sacks are provided.
The extra river sites have been selected after the Noosa Wetlands survey NICA made last year showed degraded areas of the foreshore and shallows where rubbish and debris can accumulate.
Besides rubbish collectors walking along the estuary foreshores, NICA is hoping for a flotilla of kayaks and small boats to register at one of the boat ramp sites and join the RiverWatch crew out on the water.
All who register for CUAD go in the draw for prizes from our major sponsors Sofitel Hotels and Resorts and Peppers Resort and Villas, and everyone is welcome to join in a post Clean Up barbecue hosted by Noosa Lions Club at Lions Park on the riverside.
Cleanaway and Allcott Hire are onboard once again to assist with the removal of all rubbish collected.
NICA president Angela van Boxtel emphasised the value of the annual Clean Up event to the Noosa environment and community.
“On that day, we can all get out and about in our special local places and help to keep them free of damaging rubbish materials,” Angela said.
“Every piece of litter can smother part of the natural environment, contaminate the soil, vegetation or an aquatic habitat.
“Every piece of litter removed improves the natural environment on which our diverse local wildlife depends.
“This year we are encouraging greater efforts to clean-up and start to restore natural sites which are damaged and neglected.
“This is a key part of catchment management to which everyone can make a contribution, so please step up or paddle up with your friends and families to Clean Up Noosa, on 5 March.”
You can find the list of sites on NICA’s website at noosariver.com.au/clean-up-australia-day-in-noosa/
