RECORDS TUMBLE AS KIMBERLEY COMMUNITY RALLIES TO TACKLE RUBBISH
Media Release 21 October, 2006
Records tumble as Kimberley community rallies to tackle rubbish
Record numbers of volunteers removed almost 3000 bags of rubbish from 85 sites across the Kimberley as part of the Clean Up the Kimberley campaign this weekend. Large numbers of indigenous communities and schools participated in the clean up from Broome's famous Cable Beach to remote roadsides and campsites.
More than 1500 people were involved in the largest community event ever held in the Kimberley, removing rubbish from sites scattered across more than 45,000 square kilometers of land - equivalent to twice the size of Victoria, Clean Up the Kimberley organiser Jake Zahl said.
Highlights from the weekend include:
- More than 350 school children cleaning up Broome on Friday while dozens of other volunteers scoured famous Cable Beach
- 40 children cleaning up around the Mowanjum Aboriginal Community, outside of Derby
- 12 Indigenous communities including the Looma, Mowanjun and Mullan communities participating for the first time ever
- Removing everything from aluminum cans, plastic bottles and cigarette butts to scrap metal, fuel and oil drums and batteries from the stunningly beautiful Kimberley landscape
The reputation of the Kimberley as one of Australia's most spectacular natural places would be in jeopardy if residents and businesses involved in the region had not taken action to address what has become an increasing problem of dumped rubbish and pollution, Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said.
"The focus for everyone was to remove buried and dumped rubbish before the next wet season carries it into the Kimberley's wild and often inaccessible areas," Mr Zahl said. "Some people drove more than a thousand kilometres to help out and many others, including Indigenous communities and school children, scoured the Gibb River Road to make sure the Kimberley remains famous for its unspoiled beauty."
Broome local resident Jake Zahl first started a clean up of problem areas in 2001 after he saw first hand the damage being done by rubbish left behind on roadsides and campsites in the Kimberley.
"Clean Up Australia will build on this success, with principal partner COLORBOND® steel, to educate schools, local communities and travelers to improve waste management in the region."
The six elements of the Clean Up the Kimberley campaign include the ‘Kimberley Say No to Plastic Bags program', ‘Leave Space for your Waste' awareness campaign aimed at independent travelers, ‘Kimberley Kids Clean Up Kit', regional recycling initiatives and local ‘fix up' projects delivered in conjuntion with Shire Councils.
"With practically every building across the Kimberley featuring at least a roof made from COLORBOND® steel, this is a program we are very keen to support," said David Bare of BlueScope Steel. "As part of the 40th birthday of COLORBOND® steel, we wanted to give something back to those communities, like those across the Kimberley, that have supported us."
Mr Kiernan also acknowledged local sponsors BGC Contracting, Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, Hutchinson Real Estate and Kimberley Waste Services for their ongoing and valued support.
Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656 or 0147 154 110.