MORE than 90 kilograms of rubbish has been removed from Coffs Creek during a three-hour community clean-up.
The Coffs Harbour Bluewater Freedivers, in partnership with Coffs Harbour Surf Club and the City of Coffs Harbour, collected predominantly single-use plastics, shopping trolleys and styrofoam, but volunteers also recovered an extraordinary range of household items including clothing, footwear, kids toys, tennis balls, a pillow and even a small lounge chair.
Bluewater Freedivers President, Brian Hackett, said, “Community action is important, but clean-ups should not be the only response to rubbish in our waterways that begins with the way products are designed, packaged, consumed and discarded.
“We need governments at every level to develop policies that eliminate unnecessary single-use packaging and invest in education programs that help people understand what is happening in our waterways.”
Cr Cassell agreed with Mr Hackett’s remarks.
“The scale and diversity of the waste issue was a stark reminder of the impacts everyday consumption and littering has on the marine environment,” he said.
“I expected to find single-use plastics but was surprised with the excessive amount of household goods that makes me think there must be illegal dumping occurring in the upper catchment of Coffs Creek and this should be investigated further.
“Finding what we believe is over 90 kilograms of rubbish in just three hours is unacceptable.”
The Bluewater Freedivers said protecting Coffs Creek was ultimately about protecting the health, recreational value and future of the Coffs Harbour coastline.
Coffs Surf Club General Manager, Grant Lawler, was shocked by the scale of the problem in Coffs Creek.
“Water quality is such a huge issue,” he said.
“Coffs Creek is a vital recreational, environmental and community asset used daily by kayakers, paddleboarders, anglers, walkers, swimmers and families.’
The National Marine Science Centre found Coffs Creek to be among the most nutrient-impacted waterways studied on the Coffs Coast, with significant increases in pollution following rainfall events.
Surface runoff was identified as a major pathway carrying contaminants into the creek.
“The most important question is not how much rubbish was removed. But how much remains and why,” Mr Lawler said.
“Why is so much rubbish still entering one of our region’s most valuable waterways and who is
responsible?
“Coffs Creek belongs to all of us.
“Its future health will depend not only on volunteers and environmental groups but City Councillors, Members of Parliament and Government agencies who can genuinely impact the decisions made throughout the catchment.
“Today, the community removed rubbish from the creek.
“Tomorrow, let’s work together to stop rubbish from getting there in the first place.”
By Andrew VIVIAN
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