Murrindindi Shire Council is urging individuals, local community groups and schools to get involved and register to join in the clean up by hosting an event on Sunday 7 March.
Council's Environment Portfolio Councillor Karine Haslam said there has never been a better time to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day.
'During the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen an increase in single-use disposable items, including takeaway coffee cups, food packaging, masks and wipes. And while most people do the right thing, this kind of rubbish still manages to find its way into our local parks, bushland, streets and waterways.
'Clean Up Australia Day is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to your local area and it can also help make you more aware and conscious about the impacts that your own lifestyle has on the environment', added Cr Haslam.
'It's a great day for people to work together to clean up a public area. You could clean up your street, a local park or a playground that you and your kids visit regularly. The choice is yours!
'Due to COVID-19, some additional conditions will be put in place to assist event organisers and ensure the health and safety of volunteers. These conditions include limiting the number of volunteers per event and providing QR codes for registrations on the day, hand sanitizer, bags and gloves to every volunteer.
'Council will also be assisting community groups and schools who have registered events by either collecting the rubbish you've picked up from a nominated location or providing you with vouchers so you can dispose of the litter you collect for free at any of our Resource Recovery Centres.
'For your event, you may wish to put on a sausage sizzle of provide some fresh fruit to snack on. Council will be reimbursing registered community groups the cost of providing drinks and snacks to volunteers, up to the value of $100.
'Registered schools can also use this event as a great learning exercise for students. If you'd like teach your students more about the materials collected during the clean-up and how they can be recycled or avoided, you can contact with Council by emailing [email protected] or calling 5772 0333. We'd be more than happy to assist students to complete a 'litter audit'.
'So, why not get your family, friends, work colleagues, your club or your class together and host your own Clean Up Australia Day event. If you'd like to offer your time to assist with an event that's already been organised, keep an eye out on the Clean Up Australia Day website, where events local to you will be listed. It is always a fun event to participate in and you will feel great knowing you have contributed to our community', added Cr Haslam.
