By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
WHILE it has become one of the Shire’s most popular camping sites, Double Island Point is quickly growing another reputation, and it stinks.
Each year, piles and piles of rubbish are left scattered across the picturesque location.
Volunteers young and old will be flocking to the island next weekend to participate in the Sunshine Coast Surfrider Foundation’s first major clean up of the year. Held every six months since 2010, the beach clean up is the brainchild of Craig Macintyre and Aaron Horsey, two mates who can’t stand seeing such a paradise destroyed.
“Double Island Point was somewhere I used to love going to as a kid,” Craig said.
“After the Brisbane floods there was a heap of rubbish flowing north and washing up onto the beaches.
“So we started off… just a few of us picking up rubbish… over the years it has escalated to over 100.”
With 70 people already registered for the upcoming event, organisers are expecting another impressive turnout. Having consistently lifted two tonnes off the beaches and dunes in the last few clean ups, the team is encouraging volunteers of all ages to join in.
“There is a lot of blatant disrespect for the environment at Double Island Point,” Craig said.
“I would say between 80 and 90 per cent of the rubbish comes from the camping areas… 80 to 90 per cent of which is plastics.”
In addition to the clean up, the Surfrider Foundation will also be partnering with Maroochy Waterwatch and stabilising the dunes with a spinafex planting session.
A free beach camping permit will be given to all those who participate and along with the clean up and dune planting the weekend will include a wide range of entertainment, live music, movies, a major raffle and educational presentations.
“It’s not only about cleaning up the environment but about increasing environmental awareness and education which will hopefully lead to prevention,” Craig said.
“I want to make sure that I can share this beautiful paradise – that I loved so much growing up – with my own kids.”
Surfrider’s Double Island Point beach clean up and dune planting will be held on 9 and 10 May. To register send your details, vehicle registration and camping numbers to
cleanupdoubleisland@gmail.com by Wednesday 6 May. For general inquiries or sponsorships/partnerships also email cleanupdoubleisland@gmail.com.
You can also call Craig on 0415 670 639 or Aaron on 0449 686 746.
