Gear up for a clean up

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is gearing up for Australia’s biggest clean-up, kick starting next week with three separate clean-ups for business, schools and the general community.

CBCity locals can join more than 30 sites for Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 1 March, and are encouraged to get involved with family and friends to clean up their local area.

Padstow local, Madonna Lombardo has participated in Clean Up Australia Day for 30 years and will be heading out with her family and a group of local volunteers this year.

"There is a beautiful group of people from Baringa Church who have been volunteering and helping out for years. Clean Up Australia Day wouldn’t be the same without them," she said.

"It’s the one day of the year I feel I’m doing something positive for the environment and to show my daughter how important it is to look after our planet, even if it is just one small space at a time."

For people who are new to Clean Up Australia Day, Madonna said, "If you’ve got the time, I’ve got the place! You won’t regret it if you give it a go."

Mayor Khal Asfour encouraged residents to take one hour out of their day to take part in the 30-year movement to make our communities and environment more beautiful.

"I really encourage everyone who has a spare hour on Sunday 1 March to put on a pair of gloves and get their hands dirty to make our city cleaner and greener," Mayor Asfour said.

"I encourage you to rope in your family and friends to clean up your local park or waterway with your local clean-up site – it’s a great way to meet your neighbours and get your steps up.

"Remember you can also return eligible containers you find for 10 cents, as part of the Return and Earn scheme at a collection point, so it’s a great little reward for the kids as well."

The Business Clean Up Day will be held on Tuesday 25 February and the School Clean Up Day will be held in schools across the Council on Friday 28 February.

Join in the nationwide clean-up on Sunday 1 March.

For more information visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.