Volunteers uncover shocking truth behind Australia's waterway pollution
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Australia's waterways are facing an increasing crisis of pollution, and some are pointing the finger at a particular group of outdoor enthusiasts for worsening the situation.
What started as a weekend clean-up effort soon revealed a growing problem that’s affecting not just the environment but also the future of local wildlife.
This alarming trend, spotted by one dedicated volunteer team, has led to a stern warning for those who think the great outdoors can handle their waste.
Each weekend, a dedicated group of volunteers works tirelessly to remove waste from Australia’s waterways, yet a growing issue has emerged that has left many shaking their heads.
The Clean4Shore team, led by founder Graham Johnston, recently collected 440 kilograms of rubbish from Crangan Bay on the NSW Central Coast.
While this amount of waste was unsurprising — the team often picks up double this amount in a single day — it was clear that ‘poor camping practices’ were increasingly contributing to the issue.
‘Some off-road campers think it’s okay to dump their beer cans and rubbish in the bush rather than taking it home,’ Graham said.
‘We had a group of volunteers there who are recreational campers and they just shook their heads... there was so much.’
In addition to beer cans and food wrappers, more and more soft plastics were found floating in rivers and waterways, a problem that had worsened in the wake of Cyclone Alfred.
Graham explained that the storm had ‘flushed stuff out the gutters’ and revealed litter that was often hidden away.
The group also removed damaged oyster baskets, which continue to clog the waterways, alongside other debris such as fishing equipment and tyres.
‘Farmers aren’t showing diligence in getting their baskets back, and it’s a consistent problem,’ Graham said.
Despite these challenges, the Clean4Shore team remained determined, with a clear focus on the bigger picture: cleaning Australia’s rivers and preventing further harm to the environment.
This issue is not confined to the NSW Central Coast. Volunteer groups across the country, such as Ocean Crusaders in Queensland, are also working to clean up local waterways.
Ian Thomson from Ocean Crusaders noted that the Brisbane River and surrounding areas had become increasingly littered over the years, with much of the debris detracting from the beauty of the landscape.
‘With the amount of rubbish, it’s not that pretty... it’s disheartening,’ he said.
The growing volume of waste found in Australia’s waterways is causing concern among volunteers and environmentalists alike, who continue to battle against the tide of pollution.
As these groups persist in their efforts to tackle the problem, it has become evident that a change in behaviour is needed—particularly among those who see the outdoors as a dumping ground rather than a space to protect.
As pollution continues to plague Australia’s waterways, what do you think is the key to encouraging people to take responsibility for their waste?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
What started as a weekend clean-up effort soon revealed a growing problem that’s affecting not just the environment but also the future of local wildlife.
This alarming trend, spotted by one dedicated volunteer team, has led to a stern warning for those who think the great outdoors can handle their waste.
Each weekend, a dedicated group of volunteers works tirelessly to remove waste from Australia’s waterways, yet a growing issue has emerged that has left many shaking their heads.
The Clean4Shore team, led by founder Graham Johnston, recently collected 440 kilograms of rubbish from Crangan Bay on the NSW Central Coast.
While this amount of waste was unsurprising — the team often picks up double this amount in a single day — it was clear that ‘poor camping practices’ were increasingly contributing to the issue.
Volunteers fight growing waste crisis in Aussie waterways. Image source: Clean4Shore
‘Some off-road campers think it’s okay to dump their beer cans and rubbish in the bush rather than taking it home,’ Graham said.
‘We had a group of volunteers there who are recreational campers and they just shook their heads... there was so much.’
In addition to beer cans and food wrappers, more and more soft plastics were found floating in rivers and waterways, a problem that had worsened in the wake of Cyclone Alfred.
Graham explained that the storm had ‘flushed stuff out the gutters’ and revealed litter that was often hidden away.
The group also removed damaged oyster baskets, which continue to clog the waterways, alongside other debris such as fishing equipment and tyres.
‘Farmers aren’t showing diligence in getting their baskets back, and it’s a consistent problem,’ Graham said.
Despite these challenges, the Clean4Shore team remained determined, with a clear focus on the bigger picture: cleaning Australia’s rivers and preventing further harm to the environment.
This issue is not confined to the NSW Central Coast. Volunteer groups across the country, such as Ocean Crusaders in Queensland, are also working to clean up local waterways.
Ian Thomson from Ocean Crusaders noted that the Brisbane River and surrounding areas had become increasingly littered over the years, with much of the debris detracting from the beauty of the landscape.
‘With the amount of rubbish, it’s not that pretty... it’s disheartening,’ he said.
The growing volume of waste found in Australia’s waterways is causing concern among volunteers and environmentalists alike, who continue to battle against the tide of pollution.
As these groups persist in their efforts to tackle the problem, it has become evident that a change in behaviour is needed—particularly among those who see the outdoors as a dumping ground rather than a space to protect.
As pollution continues to plague Australia’s waterways, what do you think is the key to encouraging people to take responsibility for their waste?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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