Clean4Shore conducted its first major clean-up of the year on February 28, ably assisted by Year 9 marine studies students from Narara Valley High School.
The biggest litter problem facing our waterways continues to be plastic, with 209 plastic drink bottles, 321 items of plastic food packaging and 402 remnants of plastic bags and wrap etc collected on the day.
Co-ordinator Graham Johnston said 15 students assembled on an overcast day, to assist in the clean-up of Narara Creek and Fagans Bay.
“There was evidence of poor Council planning with masses of litter directly entering the waterway, illegal dumping, industrial dumping, homeless camping and illegal fishing practices on display for the students through the field trip,” he said.
At the rail line opposite Gosford Sailing Club, three full bags were collected.
“The rail bridge on the stadium side is a popular fishing site (and was) heavily littered with beer cans, plastic bottles and food packaging,” Johnston said.
“Two very full bags were removed from only a 10m site.”
Then it was on to Fagans Bay.
“Entering Fagans Bay at low tide restricted access but the corner close to the rail line had bulk small litter, plastic and polystyrene drums and boxes and four full bags of small litter,” Johnston said.
“At Spider Island the bay also had bulk small litter, plenty of balls, plastic bottles and polystyrene that has washed onto the island in the recent big tides.
“Six illegal crab traps were collected on this island with Fisheries advice.”
Johnston said the foreshore adjacent Evergreen Village also yielded plenty of litter, mostly under the mangroves or close to the bank, with more crab traps discovered.
“Beneath the Narara Creek Bridge several homeless campsites exist; Clean4shore left these untouched,” he said.
“A major issue was the illegal dumping of residential items next to the bridge and Dan Murphy’s car park.
“Six very full bags were collected here (and included) clothing, electrical lighting, toys and cushions.
“Adjacent Maccas (we collected) the usuals – food wrappings, plastic bottles, beer cans and soft plastic.”
Johnston said more than 20 bags of litter were collected on the day at a combined weight of 260kg.
He suggested bins in the carpark at Dan Murphy’s, West Gosford, would be a good idea.