Clean Up Australia Day 2019 – Volunteers make a difference

Supported by Blue Mountains City Council, 11 community groups worked to clear rubbish in the local government area on Sunday, 3 March as part of Clean Up Australia Day.

From the cliffs below Echo Point, to parks and ovals, volunteers skipped their Sunday morning sleep-in, donned gloves and cleared rubbish.

Twelve school groups also worked on Friday, 1 March and Monday 4, March to do their bit for the environment and one business group also signed up to the cause.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, offered a big thanks to those who volunteered for the event.

“The efforts of local volunteers on Clean Up Australia Day makes a big difference. We appreciate all their hard work.”

In Katoomba, more than 20 SES volunteers turned up to deal with rubbish dumped immediately below Echo Point, one of Australia’s most iconic and popular lookouts. 

Experienced abseilers worked from ropes to remove 10 large bags of rubbish – including mobile phones and a shopping trolley – from the cliff line below the lookout. 

Other SES volunteers also worked at the base of Echo Point where they filled 22 large bags and also found a washing machine, street signs and beer kegs. 

Local volunteers reported less rubbish in our bush, compared to previous years. 

Across the country, over half a million volunteers cleaned up. Held on the first Sunday in March each year, Clean Up Australia Day is now in its 29th year. 

Pic: Glenbrook Native Plants Society participated in Clean Up Australia Day 2019 with Australian Air Force Cadets and volunteers from the area.