A waterway cleaning team has removed boats full of rubbish from the Kolan and Burnett rivers
The organisation Ocean crusaders team has been contracted by Bundaberg Regional Council and visits our region every month to assist with removing rubbish and debris to prevent it from entering the ocean.
Boat loads of rubbish have been removed from the rivers with teams finding everything from shopping trolleys to cans.
In February the team travelled across the Burnett River and also made stops at Miara and Sandy Hook as part of the clean-up.
Ocean Crusaders founder Ian Thomson says the first two days of the trip they had the help of volunteers and culminated in two good hauls totalling 785 kg.
“Shopping trolleys and scooter helmets are continuing to be a pest and far too many 10 cent containers [are] being thrown away.”
All up, the four-day venture resulted in the removal of:
- Day 1 – Removal of 420 kg of rubbish
- Day 2 – Removal of 365 kg of rubbish
- Day 3 – Removal of 405 kg of rubbish
- Day 4 – Removal of 930 kg of rubbish
Natural Resources and Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Gary Kirk says Council was pleased with the results from the Ocean Crusaders team and thanked the volunteers for their support.
“Council is incredibly grateful for the ongoing commitment of Ocean Crusaders and their volunteers who continue to remove significant amounts of debris from our waterways each month.
“This important work not only improves the health of our local river systems but also helps protect the downstream environment, including the Great Barrier Reef.”
