Volunteers called to Woronora River for Clean Up Australia Day

Media release - 20 February 2012

The Woronora River is the largest tributary of the Georges River catchment, and of great value to the natural beauty and environmental condition of the Sutherland Shire. This year, the GRCCC’s Riverkeeper Program will bring volunteers together to keep it clean for Clean Up Australia Day.

The Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee (GRCCC) is calling for all public and volunteers to meet at Bonnet Bay boat ramp (on Washington Drive, opposite Harrison Ave) at 9 a.m. for a 9:30 start on Sunday 4 March 2012. The cleanup is open to the public.

The Woronora River is an important sub-catchment of the Georges River as it supports a healthy ecosystem with good water quality and intact riparian vegetation.  The cleanup event will focus on the area between Mangrove Island and the suburb of Bonnet Bay.

This area is routinely monitored by Sutherland Shire Council, the GRCCC Community River Health Monitoring Program and the GRCCC Georges Riverkeeper Program.  Results of recent River Health Surveys on the area can be accessed via the Georges River Website.

The GRCCC Riverkeeper Program will supervise the event and distribute bags and gloves courtesy of Clean Up Australia. Sutherland Shire Council will coordinate rubbish collection and other resources.

Project supervisors have made the following recommendations:

• Volunteers are limited to ages 18 and over, or under 18 if accompanied by an adult.
• Volunteers must wear heavy duty boots and weather appropriate clothing for the cleanup

Rubbish negatively impacts the foreshores and riparian areas of the Georges River catchment and the Woronora River. Pollution and dumping also contributes to scouring and streambank erosion, and devalues in-stream habitat, which can have a destructive impact on residential property, flora and fauna habitat and water quality.

The GRCCC is an incorporated association of nine local government councils working in partnership with state and federal government agencies and community representatives within the Georges River catchment. Member councils include Bankstown City, Campbelltown City, Fairfield City, Hurstville City, Kogarah City, Liverpool City, Rockdale City, Sutherland Shire and Wollondilly Shire councils.

Volunteers MUST register their interest before the event, and can do this by visiting www.georgesriver.org.au or the Clean Up Australia Day website at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

For more information about the cleanup event, contact info@georgesriver.org.au or visit the website: www.georgesriver.org.au