Clean4Shore recently cleared 1,200kgs (or 1.2 tonnes) of rubbish from the Brisbane Water in just three days, gathering 40 huge bags of litter in a concerted blitz.
Monday, March 6 saw high temperatures, but a high tide allowed access to the inside area of Fagans Bay as students from Narara Valley High School joined clean-up efforts.
Co-ordinator Graham Johnston said rubbish collected on the day included a damaged surf ski.
“Mangroves close to the RSL Club and the Evergreen Village had bulk small litter items buried in the thick mangroves,” he said.
“This was a difficult task with the source being ‘gutter litter’ due to the vast amount of balls – more than 3000 were found.
“Small litter was mainly plastic bottles, soft and hard plastics and polystyrene.”
Johnston said Narara Creek was very clean on the western side but bulk small and larger litter was on the eastern side close to the netball courts.
“Two small sections close to the Central Coast Highway had very small amounts of soft plastics and plastic bottles,” he said.
On Tuesday, March 7, volunteers were joined by a group of Year 8 students from Erina High School as the clean-up continued in Erina Bay.
“Central Coast Council’s Estuary Officer, Ben Cuerel, joined our team, speaking to the students on Council’s environmental issues,” Johnston said.
“He remained with the group being proactive in the clean-up.”
Johnston said small litter was collected from Erina Bay in a high tide, with larger pieces of the Punt Bridge vessel also removed as the group tackled 100m of foreshore.
“A derelict campsite was removed close to the local hotel in bushland,” he said.
“Very hot conditions with high tidal water allowed for a cooling swim during the clean up.”
On Wednesday, March 8 a keen group of Year 9 students from Terrigal High School joined clean-up efforts at Rileys Island, splitting into two groups to clean the western foreshore.
“Oyster baskets immediately appeared in consistent numbers, with bulk small litter present,” Johnston said.
“Plastic bottles and soft plastics were dominant.
“Paddys Channel also had oyster baskets plus smaller volumes of plastics and polystyrene.
“Treated pine and hardwood pallets were carried out to the barge.”
Johnston said a red fiberglass vessel sighted the previous day was removed following advice from Maritime to remove.
“The boat had large holes in the hull and was not able to be towed,” he said.
“The boat (was cut) into three larger pieces which the students loaded into the barge.”
Upon returning to Gosford Sailing Club for a healthy lunch, the team was joined by members of the Central Coast Local Health District who were at the Sailing Club to assist the homeless with medical attention and accommodation advice.
All waste collected was taken to Woy Woy tip.
Terry Collins