3228 takes out the trash

ALMOST 100 kilograms of rubbish was collected across three separate locations in Torquay and Jan Juc to round out a successful day of cleaning throughout the 3228 community.

The long-awaited 3228 Beach Clean Up and Afterparty at Bells Beach Brewing hosted by A Cleaner Coast was a raging success following two years of cancellations and virtual events.

A Cleaner Coast committee member and event coordinator Kate Griffin said nearly 100kg of rubbish was collected in total at Bells Beach, Jan Juc village and Torquay North’s manmade wetlands.

“It was so great to have this clean up in-person again,” Ms Griffin said.

“We held two virtual clean ups through our lockdowns, but it just wasn’t the same as the first clean up in-person back in 2019.

“Interacting with the community, and having people travel down to the event was just epic.

“There was such a positive buzz in the air, and it has definitely inspired us to keep planning events into the future.”

Ms Griffin said she was a bit worried that Bells Beach wouldn’t have much rubbish, but upon closer inspection, there was a large amount of rubbish blown in under the Moonah trees and in the islands of the area’s car parks.

The Jan Juc village location wasn’t surprising unfortunately for Ms Griffin. Despite the large number of bins in the precinct, large amounts of rubbish were found in the gutter and in bushes.

Torquay North’s location was the most harrowing for the clean-up crew.

“The Torquay North location, in the man-made wetlands, was jammed full of rubbish,” Ms Griffin said.

“Unfortunately, the design of the wetlands can’t handle the amount of water runoff, and heaps of rubbish gets swept into them.

“All the polluted water then makes its way into the Breamlea Karaaf wetlands, which are incredibly significant natural wetlands for native flora and fauna and migratory birds.

“There’s critically endangered birds that use those wetlands as their homes and it’s getting inundated with fresh water and rubbish.

We did our bit on the day, but it definitely highlighted a bigger issue.”

Ms Griffin said Surf Coast residents are generally environmentally conscious, but small acts of picking up litter and responsibly disposing of rubbish make a massive difference.

A Cleaner Coast partnered with Surfrider Foundation Surf Coast Branch and Bells Beach Brewing to host the event.

A Cleaner Coast is already investigating hosting another mass clean-up later this year.