Organisations partner for riverside clean-up

A collaborative clean-up event has removed a wide variety of rubbish from the Barwon River corridor through Geelong.

Employees from Barwon Water and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) yesterday joined forces to tidy the river environment, adjacent to Balyang Sanctuary.

The organisations came together for Clean Up Australia Day, which encourages communities to make an impact by removing and recycling waste.

Protecting local waterways is a key focus for both organisations, as litter and pollution affect river health.

Several kilograms worth of plastic and general consumer waste was collected, along with larger items such as couch pillows, fence palings, clothing, towels, toys and sports equipment.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming and Corangamite CMA Chief Executive Officer Amber Clarke were among 30 employees to take part in the effort.

Mr Cumming said it was important to partner with Traditional Owners and other agencies to care for country, as river flows crossed management boundaries and responsibilities.

“Caring for and protecting the environment is a key shared priority, and collaborating with key partners like Corangamite CMA is vital to improving the health and quality of our waterways,” Mr Cumming said.

“We can all play a part in stopping rubbish from entering our rivers and oceans, including by only putting the Three Ps – toilet paper, poo and pee - into our toilets and drains.

“Any non-flushable items that are sent into our sewers can end up in our waterways through outflows, negatively impacting our natural and built environments.”

Corangamite CMA is responsible for managing the Barwon River through Geelong, including various river reserves, facilities and assets from Queens Park bridge to the lower breakwater.

Dr Clarke said the Barwon River through Geelong provides important environmental, cultural, social and economic values and a strong partnership approach between agencies, Traditional Owners and the community is vital.

“The Barwon River through Geelong provides benefits for everyone in the catchment,” Dr Clarke said.

“By working together, we can improve the health of the Barwon River that we all rely on.”

The organisations have a close working relationship, collaborating on a range of river health programs across Barwon Water’s service region.

This includes large river restoration projects on Dewing Creek, a tributary of the Barwon River, and the East Moorabool River at Bolwarra Weir.

Held annually, Clean Up Australia Day aims to raise awareness of protecting the environment, living more sustainably and reducing waste.

The official Clean Up Australia Day is Sunday 2 March.

Barwon Water Managing Director Shaun Cumming and Corangamite CMA Chief Executive Officer Amber Clarke.