Great Northern Clean Up to become annual event

Media Release - 7 October 2009

The Great Northern Clean Up is to be permanently etched into calendars in Northern Australia following the overwhelming success of the inaugural event.

“Lock it in your diary - the Great Northern Clean Up is here to stay,” Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said.

Close to 90 tonnes of rubbish was removed from beaches, waterways and local parks by the almost 1800 volunteers at sites stretching right across the top end, from Townsville and Cairns right through to Darwin, Broome and Port Hedland.

Mr Kiernan said the positive response by the community has meant the clean up will now become an annual event.

“We had almost 1800 people from across the top end of Australia involved on the weekend. Given it’s the first time the event has been run that’s a fantastic result.

“Those volunteers helped remove almost 90 tonnes of rubbish from the local environment. That’s 90 tonnes of waste that’s no longer rubbishing Northern Australia’s iconic environment.

“It’s clear the timing has made the event more accessible for the community - we’d be crazy not to make it an annual event after seeing how successful it was.

“A huge thanks must go to all the volunteers that took the time to get out and get involved in the inaugural Great Northern Clean Up. The environmental benefits of your action cannot be underestimated.

Mr Kiernan said he is confident volunteers in Northern Australia will also continue to make an effort to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day

“The Great Northern Clean Up isn’t a replacement for Clean Up Australia Day, it’s an additional clean up just prior to the wet season for those in Northern Australia.

“We know March isn’t an ideal time for communities in Northern Australia to get involved, but we also know how dedicated people are to the environment, so I’m sure we’ll still see plenty of volunteers donning their gloves and hats again in March ready to do it all again.”

For further information contact Alana Mew, 0423 377 567