Rubbish left on Sunshine Coast beaches following 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations

Sunshine Coast beaches were left in a terrible state following New Year’s Eve celebrations, with fireworks debris, beer cans, condoms, and needles found along the coastline.

Rubbish left behind following New Year’s Eve celebrations at Mooloolaba.

Sunshine Coast beaches were left nursing a rubbish hangover following New Year’s Eve celebrations, as revellers left behind trash along the coast’s pristine shoreline.

While beaches from Coolum to Mooloolaba were a picture of good times on New Year’s Eve as locals gathered to bring in the new year, the first sunrise of 2024 revealed rubbish and debris along the shoreline.

Among the trash found on the beaches included fireworks debris, food wrapping, bottles, cans, condoms, and needles, while council bins were seen overflowing with rubbish by 8pm on New Year’s Eve.

Environment advocate and Beach Matters Group president Rachel Bermingham said it made for a terrible start to the new year.

“It’s completely devastating that the beach was left like this,” Ms Bermingham said.

“So instead of the Sunshine Coast community waking up, feeling refreshed and looking forward to a wonderful new year with good vibes, they woke up to a disgusting and horrible mess that had not been cleaned up the night before.

“Years ago, we would wake up to spotless beaches on New Year’s Day and a really good start to the year, but unfortunately this year it did not happen.”

Rubbish left behind following New Year’s Eve celebrations at Mooloolaba.

Ms Bermingham paid tribute to her group’s members, who volunteered their time to clean up the mess.

“Big thank you to all the beach ambassadors who have been cleaning these plastics, bottles, cans and anything else you can imagine since before the sun came up yesterday,” she added.

Rubbish left behind following New Year’s Eve celebrations at Mooloolaba.

“We’d like to see our beaches back to being clean, healthy and ready and open for visitation before the sun comes up like they always were in years gone by and free of litter.”

In a statement, a Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said that fireworks debris found along the shoreline at Mooloolaba is likely to be from illegal fireworks not associated with the official NYE celebrations.

An overflowing bin following New Year’s Eve celebrations at Mooloolaba.

“The pyrotechnics company Fuse, engaged by council for Mooloolaba NYE fireworks, uses only biodegradable products,” the spokesman said.

“Fuse does not use any plastics in their products, nor are they toxic, they use only clay, kraft paper and cardboard, all biodegradable.

“As well as producing a fabulous display, Fuse is contracted to undertake a debris check along the rock wall and beach sweep at 4am post fireworks.

“In addition, this year council engaged contractor Party Bins to come through at 5am when there was more light to do an additional rock wall and beach sweep.

“Once the current weather system passes, council’s Parks team will do another sweep of Mooloolaba beach.

“A walk at Mooloolaba yesterday afternoon by an event crew member did not uncover any large, discarded rubbish.”