Urgent action on flood debris needed

Media Release 11 January, 2008

North coast residents are being urged to help clean up the huge amounts of rubbish that have been washed onto beaches and along the north coast in the aftermath of the floods.

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said much of the rubbish is likely to be washed out to sea unless swift action to remove happens.

"The floods have been devastating for residents and for the environment. This a case of all hands being needed to help prevent a large scale problem getting out of hand and polluting even more of a our coastline."

Much of the rubbish left behind by the floods is plastic and will have a devastating impact on marine and bird life if left to drift at sea, Mr Kiernan said.

"If everyone was to spend just half an hour to collect some of this rubbish from beaches and long creeks and river banks, it would make a difference to pollution levels."

Mr Kiernan said huge numbers of plastic bags are also among the debri, which demonstrates the urgent need for a ban on them to reduce their impact on the natural environment and on marine life such as whales.

"Communities could introduce their own ban on plastic bags rather than waiting for the Federal Government to phase them out or impose a levy.

"Arguments continue about whether a ban or a levy on plastic bags should occur but a number of communities have already shown the way and introduced their own ban.

"Delays in introducing a ban on plastic shopping bags are costing our environment dearly. 3.9 billion are being handed out each year in Australia and they either end up in landfill or choking our waterways and marine life," Mr Kiernan said.

"Clean Up Australia Day is on Sunday 2 March and communities could consider announcing a ban aspart of the action they take to help clean up"

Registrations are now open. Anyone can register a Clean Up site and community organisations are also encouraged to get involved by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or calling 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329)

Further information: Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656