Creek and coast litter clean-ups get under way

Auckland City Council
Media release

27 February 2008

Creek and coast litter clean-ups get under way

Volunteers are set to start cleaning up Auckland’s creeks and coasts as Auckland City Council’s annual clean-up programme begins.

The success of the programme, now in its third year, is evident with over 350 volunteers collecting 680 bags of inorganic rubbish weighing 3.8 tonnes at 20 locations across Auckland.

“The wide range of litter dumped in our waterways is astounding”, says park volunteer coordinator David Bowden.

“Every year we remove numerous plastic bottles and pieces of glass, aluminium cans, food wrappers, vehicle parts and home appliances such as microwaves and washing machines, even a kitchen sink.”

Mr Bowden says the clean-ups are a great way to take direct action to improve our community and environment, and are also a great way to meet your neighbours.

“Everyone can play a part in keeping Auckland’s waterways free from rubbish and making the environment healthier and safer for Aucklanders to enjoy.”

Litter thrown directly into streams or washed down through stormwater drains can transform creeks and beaches into unhealthy, smelly and unsightly places. Rubbish can also choke and trap birds and kill aquatic life.

All the clean-up activities are on Sundays and include the following

- Motions Creek in Westmere on Sunday, 2 March, 9.30 am. Meet at the Westmere Scout Hall, Meola Road, Westmere.

- Oakley Creek in Mt Albert on Sunday, 9 March, 9.30am. Meet at Phyllis Reserve, Metro Football ground car park.

- Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve in Glendowie on Sunday, 26 March at 9.30 am. Meet at the park main entrance, end of West Tamaki Road.

- Manukau Foreshore East in Onehunga on Sunday, 30 March at 9.30 am. Meet at the Miami Parade walkway entrance, Angle Street/Miami Parade (entrance to the foreshore).

- Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham on Sunday, 6 April at 9.30am. Meet in the car park by the football clubrooms, Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive.

- Tony Segedin Reserve in Avondale on Sunday, 13 April at 9.30am. Meet at the end of Riversdale Road, off Rosebank Road.

- Wattle Bay Reserve in Lynfield on Sunday, 27 April at 9am. Meet at the Canberra Avenue entrance to the park.

ENDS