Wollongong and Shellharbour city councils are encouraging residents to put on a pair of gloves, grab a rubbish bag and clean up their patch of Australia on Sunday.
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Schools and community groups will tidy waterways, roadsides, parks, reserve beaches and bushland areas.
Woonona East Public School joined acting Lord Mayor David Brown to plant low-lying shrubs to stabilise the dune at Woonona Beach ahead of Clean Up Australia Day.
“We know that younger generations are passionate about their local environment and it’s great that students from Woonona East Public School are coming along to help tidy and plant along the dunes,” Cr Brown said.
“Cigarette butts and plastic food and drink packaging are the most common types of rubbish picked up around our community.
"This rubbish makes it way to our beaches and has a devastating impact on our marine and bird life."
Forty schools are involved in events and there are 20 community registration points where residents can take part across the city.
“There’s a lot going on this weekend," Cr Brown said.
"I’d like to encourage everyone to join us as we work together to reduce the rubbish in our community and help make Wollongong a beautiful and healthy place to live.”
All clean up bags and registration forms will be provided on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to noon at registration points. All volunteers are asked to bring along their own gloves, sturdy foot ware and to remember slip, slop and slap.
Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba also wants all residents to get involved.
"This campaign raises awareness about the negative impact loose rubbish has on our environment, and empowers everyone involved to be part of the solution," Cr Saliba said.
“When rubbish is gone, nature can carry on and we can enjoy the beautiful environment in which we are lucky enough to live.”
Lake Illawarra Foreshore Improvement Group spokesperson John Davey said the group would be cleaning up the Boonerah Point area at Lake Illawarra on Sunday.
The group has been actively passionately protecting the lake and its foreshore for many years.
“We strongly believe the health of the lake, the ‘jewel’ in the Illawarra’s crown, is under threat from rubbish and other illegal activities,” Mr Davey said.
“Littering and dumping of rubbish endanger this precious asset and we’re excited to be part of this year’s Clean Up Australia Day event.”
Registration points for Wollongong
Friday
- Coledale Beach/Campground -10.30–11.30am
Saturday
- Bellambi Lagoon: meet beside the Lagoon opposite Happy Valley Park East Corrimal – 8–10am
- Fairy Meadow SLSC- 9am–12noon
- Port Kembla – Honey Comb Rocks (meet carpark near water treatment plant) – 8am
- Warrawong – Lake Illawarra Foreshore near the Illawarra Rowing Centre Northcliffe Dr – 10am–12noon
- Wollongong Harbour, Belmore Basin- 9am–1pm
Sunday
- Bellambi Beach: look for the Layback Longboarders tent – 8.30-10am
- Berkeley : Hooka Point Park, meet at picnic table near Sussex & Holborn St – 9am-1pm
- Berkeley: Boat Ramp near Fish market – 9–11am
- Bulli Beach: near mouth of Slacky Creek – 5–6pm
- Bulli: Whartons Creek meet at Bridge between Artist & Bennalong St – 9am12noon
- Coalcliff: Surf Life Saving Club – 10am–1pm
- Dapto: McDonalds – 1:30-330pm
- Figtree Oval: Leash Free Park meet at the Blue Bin – 8–11am
- Helensburgh: Old Doctor Surgery Parks St – 10am–1pm
- Kanahooka Park Lakeside Dr: meet seating area near Public Toilets – 8:30– 1am
- Keiraville: Bushland opposite Cato Pl – 9–11am
- Lilyvale: North Era Surf Life Saving Club – 10am–2pm
- North Wollongong: Puckeys Estate near the boardwalk – 9am–12noon
- Otford: Tennis Courts – 8am
- Port Kembla: MM Beach (meet corner of Darcy Rd & Gloucester Blvd – 8.30–10.30am
- Thirroul: Sylvan Way Fire Trail/gate near 49 Foothills Rd – 8.40am for a 9-11am
- Warrawong: McDonalds – 2-4pm
- Windang: Foreshore near Playground & Boat Ramp – 12.30–2.30pm
- Wollongong: City Beach Marine Dr – 9am–12noon
- Wollongong: McDonalds – 7-9am
Registration points for Shellharbour
Sunday
- Shellharbour Village and Waterfront
- McDonald's Shellharbour Square
- Bass Point Reserve
- Lake Windermere Caravan Park
- Boonerah Point
- Windang Foreshore Park
- Picnic Island and Lake Illawarra Foreshore
- Reddall Reserve and Berageree Island
- Lake Illawarra PCYC
- Koona Bay Reserve
- Mt Brown
- Baseball Field, Gilba Road, Dapto
- Primbee Point