Cattai Creek on track for makeover as Galston community plans clean-up day

Recreational anglers from Australia’s fast growing fishing conservation charity, OzFish Unlimited, and Galston-Glenorie Fishing Club are getting their hands dirty on Sunday May 30 for a clean-up along 2km of Cattai Creek and are calling on local volunteers to join in.

The clean-up will be the first in the region combining the instream knowledge of local recreational fishers and staff from other environmental organisations after the impact of the recent floods.

The collaborative group, which also includes Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare (HNLN), Glenorie Progress Association (GPA), Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN), Hawkesbury City Council and Clean-up Australia will be working together to collect rubbish which have seen a considerable spike following the recent flooding events.

Hawkesbury City Council will provide skips bins to assist with the clean-up day, with Council staff also being involved, the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly explained.

“Council has been contacted by individuals, local volunteer groups and other organisations who all want to contribute to our flood recovery and flood clean up in the Hawkesbury,” Mayor Conolly said.

“Our thanks go to all volunteers, Clean Up Australia and OzFish for getting involved.

“This coordinated clean-up is an opportunity for everyone wanting to help to get together to play a part in the long-term recovery of our environment and our community.”

President of Galston-Glenorie Fishing Club, Karl van Middledyk is excited to work with OzFish for the first time.

“I‘ve been fishing and living around Cattai Creek my entire life and I have never seen it needing more of a helping hand than it does now,” Mr van Middledyk said.

“The team will be in kayaks and walking the riverbank, we’ll help sort and count the rubbish before being entered into the Australian Marine Debris Database which is used by researchers to determine the best way to combat litter,” he said.

To get involved in the clean-up participants will meet at the Nelson Reserve 507 (3Z Newman Road, Glenorie) on Sunday 30 May 2021. To thank their efforts, all volunteers are invited to the Galston Club for refreshments afterwards.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE

This project is part of the NSW Government Growing River Stewardship Program, and proudly supported by the NSW Government Environmental Trust.