Sunday, March 6, is Clean Up Australia Day and several Central Coast groups are busily arranging events.
Terrigal Rotary will hold a clean up on March 6 from 10am to noon.
A spokesperson said around 12 people were expected to gather at the Terrigal Rotary Children’s Park for the clean up.
“Our Bush Care Team will concentrate on cleaning up the area around the lagoon that they have been regenerating over the last 4-5 years whilst others of us will clean the streets opposite the Rotary Park and down toward Wamberal,” the spokesperson said.
“Any rubbish we can save from going into the sea means another bird or fish saved and less pollution in our seafood.
“Each year we can monitor whether garbage dropped on our streets is getting better or worse.”
The clean up will be followed by a barbecue at the home of one of the group’s members.
Trilogy disability services will conduct a clean up on March 4 at 2 Kibble St, Gosford, from noon to 2pm.
One of the biggest clean ups in the area is set to be conducted by Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives-Central Coast (OCCI) and Aquafun on March 6 from 10.30am-12.30pm.
It will be held in Ficus Ave, Avoca Beach, at the Aquafun hire site.
“OCCI and Aquafun have been working together for many years to use this day to clean up the shores of Avoca Lagoon,” a spokesperson said.
“Nowadays, OCCI recruits the workers and Aquafun supplies the kayaks for water access to the shoreline.
“Initially the quantity of rubbish pulled from the lagoon was horrendous but with consistent yearly effort the amount declined.
“Over the last several years, since bottle banks were introduced, the debris has actually reduced again significantly.
“As well as being on the Clean Up Australia day web site, where helpers can sign on, we also advertise the event by sending (information) to local public and high schools and participants from previous years.
“Inez Dekker, who is a school leader at Kincumber Public School, put her name on the list, along with her mum, and asked if she could make a presentation to her fellow students to encourage them to get involved.
“This kind of interest is just what we endeavour to encourage.
“Our site is usually quite popular and we get between 20 and 30 helpers each year.
“Public participation in events this year has been down on usual numbers but we are still hoping to attract as many people as possible, both young and old.”
Clean Up Australia Chairman Pip Kiernan said it’s more important than ever to get involved on Clean Up Australia Day.
“Our environment is experiencing the impact of the pandemic,” Kiernan said.
“We’re seeing a huge surge in single-use plastics and unprecedented numbers of face masks, takeaway coffee cups and food packaging littering our footpaths, parks and beaches.
“There’s no better time than right now to show that you care; we need everyone to get involved.”
Register to take part at cleanup.org.au and receive a free clean up kit containing gloves and bags and other resources, with packs for individuals, families or groups available.
You can also donate on the website.
Terry Collins