Cleaning up together

PASSIONATE community members will combine forces to help battle roadside and bushland waste as part of Clean Up Australia Day this weekend.

Set for is this Sunday, several community groups including Landcare are holding events across the region.

Northern Bendigo Landcare will be tackling a section of Huntly’s bushland, and secretary Nicole Howie said litter has become a bigger problem as the suburb continues to expand.

“We’re a really growing community, there’s a lot of housing developments going on and a lot more traffic and hence quite a lot more rubbish appearing on roadsides and blowing into nearby bushland,” she said.

“Litter impacts the aesthetics of the place and the pride in your town, as well as affecting animals if they’re getting tangled in the rubbish. It can blow into waterways as well and have impacts there.”

Ms Howie said while the turnout of people at Northern Bendigo Landcare’s events rarely gets above 20, she is “always astounded” by the amount of work a small group of passionate people can get done.

Across town there are a several events on the day, including at Carpenter Street in Kangaroo Flat and at Long Gully Creek.

St Francis of the Fields Primary School will also hold a clean-up activity on Friday for students, picking up rubbish along the nearby walking track in Strathfieldsaye.

All activities are available on a searchable map at cleanupaustraliaday.org.au. Registration is required and can be done on the website or simply by turning to an event on the day.