Step up to clean up this weekend

It’s a case of many hands make light work at Clean Up Australia Day events across the region this weekend.

The annual nationwide event encourages Australians to help protect and care for their local environment by collecting rubbish in a bid to provide a more sustainable future.

Wollongong City Council is supporting community-hosted clean ups from Burning Palms Beach in the north, to Stream Hill in the south.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM praised those from the community groups and clubs for putting their hands up to host cleanups across the region.

“We just passed 100 registered cleanup sites within the Wollongong Local Government Area. Of those, 15 are welcoming the general public to come along and join in the efforts,” he said.

“We have school kids, university students, companies and charities participating. It really shows that everyone has a role to play in protecting our environment and the wonderful flora and fauna that call Wollongong home. It’s all our responsibility to look after where we live.”

Last year, cigarette butts, plastic food wrappers and drink containers topped the list of the most common types of rubbish picked up.

“Of those, chips and lolly bags were the worst offenders; these polluted our parks, sports fields and roadways which, when it rains, end up in the ocean or scattered along the beaches.”

"Aside from ruining the natural beauty of our city, this litter is also a major hazard for our marine and bird life.”

“The message is clear; dispose of your rubbish in the bin. If there isn’t one where you are, take your rubbish with you and put it in your bin at home.”

Clean Up Australia Chair Pip Kiernan said our environment is facing pressure unlike ever before.

“Australians tell us every day that they are concerned about the world we live in but often feel frustrated and unsure how to make a positive impact. Clean Up Australia Day is a great opportunity to work together and take practical action. Together we can all make a real difference,” she said.

See below for times and locations of sites welcoming extra participants or visit Clean Up Australia Day to register your own. Participants are asked to bring gloves, sturdy footwear and sun protection.

WOLLONGONG:

• Central Wollongong, hosted by WEMOSOFT
  9.30am-11.30am Sun 3 March. Meet at WanLong Oriental Supermarket, 81 Campbell Street.
• City Beach, hosted by Wollongong Doll Club
  9am-12pm Sun 3 March. Meet at the gazebo on Marine Drive.
• North Beach, hosted by UOW Labor Club
  9am-10.30am Sun 3 March. Meet at North Beach Kiosk.
• Gipps Street Waterway, Wollongong
  9am-12pm Sun 3 March. Meet on the footpath at 90-98 Gipps Street, Wollongong.
• University of Wollongong, hosted by UOW PULSE
  10am-12.30pm Mon 4 March. Meet at Pulse Reception, Building 11.

NORTHERN SUBURBS:

• Burning Palms Beach, hosted by Burning Palms SLSC
  11am-1pm Sunday 3 March. Meet at the surf club.
• Helensburgh Township, hosted by Helensburgh & District Landcare Group
  10am-1pm Sunday 3 March. Meet at The Old Mine Surgery.
• Postmans Track, Helensburgh
  12pm-4pm Sun 3 March. Meet near 7 Postmans Track, Helensburgh.
• Thirroul Beach, hosted by Austinmer/Thirroul Lions Club
  10am Sat 2 March. Meet at north side of Thirroul SLSC.
• Traction at Possums, Balgownie, hosted by For Wild Places
  10am Sun 3 March. Meet at Miners Memorial Park.
• Woonona Rock Pool, hosted by Melissa
  10.30am-2.30pm Sun 3 March. Meet at the pool.

SOUTHERN SUBURBS:

• Byarong Creek, Figtree
  9am-1pm Sun 3 March. Meet at green pedestrian bridge near the back gate of Lindsay Park Public School.
• Integral Energy Park, Stream Hill, hosted by 1st Dapto Scout Group
  9am Sun 3 March. Meet at the playground.
• Nan Tien Temple & Semaphore Drive, Berkeley, hosted by Nan Tien Temple
  10am-11.30am Sun 3 March. Meet at the roundabout front gate of the temple.
• Warrawong CBD, hosted by McDonalds Warrawong
  8am- 9am Sun 3 March. Meet at Maccas.