How good would it be to walk along the water’s edge and not see rubbish? Local res­idents certainly thought so, turning up to the Old Beach foreshore for the Annual Clean Up Australia Day event on 5 March this year.

Everyone got stuck in, col­lecting a total of twelve bags worth of rubbish which in­cluded cans, chip packets, fast food packaging, straws, balls, bottle tops, various types of plastic and even a wheel from an assembly truck! Members from the Derwent Catchment Project also got involved and helped volunteers identify in­vasive weeds and plants that impact the area. The team was glad to see samphire, a plant native to the area, thriving after the removal of noxious Boneseed bush eight months prior.

The group did a fantastic job and we thank them for demonstrating that if we all make an effort to reduce waste and dispose of litter properly, next year we may be able to enjoy a rubbish-free foreshore.

Clean Up Australia Day is an annual event that is run every year in March, and there are always ways you can get involved.

Visit www.cleanup.org.au to find out more or head to the Friends of Old Beach Fore­shore Facebook page to get involved with their monthly foreshore clean ups.