Burnett River clean-up removes 20 tonnes of rubbish

A massive clean-up of the Burnett River in Bundaberg has yielded 20 tonnes of rubbish, and volunteers are being urged to help tackle the problem.

Bundaberg’s community to join forces with Ocean Crusaders to keep local waterways clean.

The Ocean Crusaders team has returned to Bundaberg for their monthly clean-up of the Burnett River, supported by local volunteers.
The non-profit organisation will continue its efforts from Wednesday to Friday as part of the Bundaberg Regional Council’s Waterways Rubbish Removal program.

Natural Resources and Environment portfolio spokesman councillor Jason Bartels said this month’s clean-up was a timely reminder of the importance of maintaining clean waterways.

Bundaberg’s community to join forces with Ocean Crusaders to keep local waterways clean.

“Friday marks International Action for Rivers Day, which is a fitting time for the Ocean Crusaders to be back in Bundaberg,” Mr Bartels said.

He said the council had engaged the organisation for monthly clean-ups, focusing mainly on the Burnett River, with additional efforts on the Elliott and Kolan Rivers once a year.

“So far, under the current grant period, more than 20 tonnes of rubbish has been collected, preventing it from washing out into the ocean.”

Ocean Crusaders’ Gemma Ross highlighted the importance of keeping local waterways clean, bringing up the Burnett River’s direct connection to the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

“The majority of the Australian population lives on or near the coast or a waterway, and Bundaberg is just such a town,” she said.

“Everything from entanglement and ingestion of plastics to leaching of chemicals and altering the natural balance affects all life in the water and the greater ocean worldwide.”

Volunteers work alongside the Ocean Crusaders team to clear rubbish from the Burnett River.

Ms Ross encouraged the community to get involved, saying the organisation relied on volunteers not just to help with clean-ups but also to spread awareness.

“Most people don’t really know how bad the problem is,” she said.

“Once you see the sheer volume of waste from one relatively small town like Bundaberg, it is a truly eye-opening experience.

“Volunteering with us can facilitate more minds to take action and go further towards making the drastic changes necessary to beat this problem.”