Woonona Beach was set to get a tidy-up this Thursday 28 February, as local students replaced litter with plants to mark the launch of Clean Up Australia Day.
The planting of low-lying shrubs at Woonona Beach will assist with dunal stabilisation and improve the ecosystem of the beach. The students planted low-lying plants such as; Mat Rush, Coastal Geranium, Pigface, Warrigal Spinach, White Correa and Golden Guinea Flower. Wollongong City Council Acting Lord Mayor Councillor David Brown joined students from Woonona East Public School in the clean-up efforts.
"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," Councillor 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."
This year, the 30th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day will be marked on Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March across Wollongong with a focus on improving waterways, roadsides, parks, reserve beaches and bushland areas.
"There's a lot going on this weekend with 40 schools getting involved at another 20 community registration points where volunteers can register and take part. 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 -12noon at registration points. All volunteers are asked to bring along their own gloves, sturdy foot ware and to remember slip, slop and slap.
One of the clean-up locations on Saturday 2 March is Belmore Basin, with divers from the Wollongong University Free Divers and Surf Riders Foundation working throughout the morning to clean up Wollongong Harbour with the help of Wollongong Rotary.
See below for the full list of registration points and starting times.
Registration Points
Friday 1 March
- Coledale Beach/Campground -10.30–11.30am
Saturday 2 March
- 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 3 March
- 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
