CLEAN UP THE BARWON RIVER
Clean Up the Barwon River Campaign
"Over 20 tonnes of rubbish is removed from the Barwon River each year - car bodies, lounge suites, plastic bags, bottles, aluminium cans, cigarette butts and other litter".
(Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, 2008)
Yet most of Geelong's water supply comes from the Barwon River!
Local wildlife such as seals and pelicans are also frequently injured by rubbish polluting the river.
This year, Parks Victoria is sponsored Clean Up Australia to help the Geelong community, schools and businesses clean up the Barwon River environment.
The project aimed to get the community involved in the protection and enhancement of the Barwon River.
The campaign was supported by the City of Greater Geelong, the Geelong Football Club, Barwon Water, Corangamite CMA, Barwon Region Waste Management Group, Barwon Coast and the Committee for Geelong.
Clean Up Australia worked with Parks Victoria to hold Clean Up Days along the Barwon River.
Recycling - The program included a new recycling program for Clean up Days. Special recycling bags were be issued to participants along with the regular Clean Up bags in the kit. They will then be sorted by local council. This was also be the first recycle campaign run by Clean Up Australia.
Business training forum - Aims to involve local business in improving productivity and profit by protecting our environment
Teachers training forum - Aims to engage schools in recycling, water quality monitoring and enhancing the Barwon River
"Simple easy actions can protect the health of our water resources and help save drinking water supplies. There is not one individual who cannot help to make a difference to the health of the environment."
Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman and Founder, Clean Up Australia
For further information on the Barwon River Project log on to http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/ or contact Elaine Carbines , Parks Victoria - ecarbine@parks.vic.gov.au or phone: 0400 084 775