Volunteers show a clean pair of heels

– Kath Gannaway
THE Wesburn log dump and Queen’s and Coronation parks in Healesville were among several sites cleaned-up last week as part of Clean Up Australia Day in the Yarra Valley.
Volunteers from local environment, sporting and other community groups were part of an estimated 800,000 strong army of volunteers who, armed with gloves, bags, and in some cases trailers and trucks, collected 7000 tons of rubbish from over 6000 sites around Australia.
At Wesburn the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) teamed up with the Yarra Valley 4WD Club and local community members to tackle a major clean-up of the Wesburn Log Dump.
Joy Hart, DSE’s trail bike project officer, said the results were outstanding.
“Everyone did a terrific job and we achieved a great deal in clearing the area of used tyres, rubbish, furniture, metal and an unbelievable array of throw-away items,” she said.
The hard work was followed up with a community barbecue.
Ms Hart said the clean-up was part of the trail bike initiative. With the area cleared there are plans to rehabilitate the site as part of the State Forest.
“Local residents are delighted to see work starting on this site,” she said.
In Healesville volunteers from Healesville Environment Watch (HEWI) the Mt Toolebewong Landcare Group and the Healesville Junior Football Club put their heads and hands together for a clean-up of Queen’s Park while members of the Healesville Chamber of Commerce did a tidy up along River Street.
Members of the Moora Moora Co-operative community on Mt Toolebewong teamed up with members of local environment group C4 to clean up Nyora Road and part of Don Road near Malleson’s Look Out.
The walk also served as a productive way to finish Saturday’s EarthHeart Festival at Moora Moora.
Mount Toolebewong Land Care Group member Peter Cock said it was reflective of the care residents of the mountain take of their patch that most of the rubbish was found in the more publicly accessible places.
Recyclable cans and bottles made up a third the majority of rubbish collected according to Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan.
Mr Kiernan said more than 2500 tonnes of recyclable drink cans and bottles was collected by volunteers.
He said the results were alarming.
“What is now needed is a recycling system that operates in places away from home where much of this waste is being created. Offering a refund to consumers for their drink can or bottles would significantly improve recycling rates and reduce the amount of rubbish being dumped in the environment,” Mr Kiernan said.