Boat loads of rubbish have been removed from the Kolan and Burnett Rivers with the Ocean Crusaders team finding everything from shopping trolleys to cans.
Contracted by Bundaberg Regional Council as part of the Waterways Rubbish Removal Program, the organisation visits the region each month to assist with removing rubbish and debris to prevent it from entering the ocean.
In February the team travelled across the Burnett River and also made stops at Miara and Sandy Hook as part of the clean-up.
Ocean Crusaders founder Ian Thomson said the first two days of the trip had the help of volunteers and culminated in two good hauls totalling 785 kg.
“Shopping trolleys and scooter helmets are continuing to be a pest and far too many 10 cent containers [are] being thrown away,” Ian said.
All up, the four-day venture resulted in the removal of:
- Day 1 – Removal of 420 kg of rubbish
- Day 2 – Removal of 365 kg of rubbish
- Day 3 – Removal of 405 kg of rubbish
- Day 4 – Removal of 930 kg of rubbish
Natural Resources and Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Gary Kirk said Council was pleased with the results from the Ocean Crusaders team and thanked the volunteers for their support.
“Council is incredibly grateful for the ongoing commitment of Ocean Crusaders and their volunteers who continue to remove significant amounts of debris from our waterways each month,” he said.
“This important work not only improves the health of our local river systems but also helps protect the downstream environment, including the Great Barrier Reef.”
For more information on upcoming Ocean Crusaders clean-up events, follow their Facebook and sign up via their Eventbrite page.
The work of Ocean Crusaders is part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Waterways Rubbish Removal program, funded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
Council is proud to be a Reef Guardian Council – an initiative of the Reef Authority – delivering real outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.
Funding for this project has been provided by the Australian Government to enable Reef Guardian Councils to deliver projects and activities identified in their Reef Action Plans.
