Local community key to reducing river litter
Local communities are being asked for their insights into tackling litter in and along the Wambuul Macquarie River as part of a new OzFish initiative to clean up the waterway.
OzFish, Australia’s recreational fishing charity, is hosting a number of upcoming community engagement events. These events are the first step in a process to develop an action plan to address the litter problem facing the Wambuul Macquarie River.
Litter has a major detrimental impact upon fish, platypus and other wildlife along river systems, and that littered public recreational sites can reduce tourist income, increase crime and lower the morale of local people.
OzFish volunteers are already engaged in cleaning up the river, with its River Repair Bus removing a trailer-load of rubbish each week. Some of the recent items removed include a number of inflatable dinghies, camp chairs, and other abandoned camping equipment, as well as many plastic bottles.
Now the charity, which delivers fishing habitat restoration projects across Australia, wants to tackle the litter problem at the source too.
“Local people have great ideas on how litter may be reduced, and OzFish want to hear them. Many community members have been actively involved in cleaning up litter and have valuable knowledge about where it’s coming from and what’s being discarded,” said OzFish Project Manager Bron Powell.
“We already know many locals are concerned about the litter left on the banks of the Wambuul Macquarie River. They love their local river and what it means to them and the community. These events are their opportunity to present those ideas and play a part in addressing the problem.”
The upcoming events take place on:
Wednesday 10 August, 11:45am – 12:45pm – Macquarie Regional Library – Dubbo
Wednesday 10 August, 6pm – 7.30pm – Milestone Hotel – Dubbo
Thursday 11 August, 11:45am – 12:45pm – Cow and Calf Hotel – Wellington
Thursday 11 August, 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Cow and Calf Hotel – Wellington
Register to attend in person or virtually by clicking here.
This OzFish project has a vision to reduce litter in the river in line with the NSW Government targets of 60 per cent by 2030, and 30 per cent of plastic litter by 2025.
The project is supported by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority’s ‘Waste Less Recycle More’ initiative funded by the waste levy. Additional support is provided by BCF – Boating Camping Fishing.
