Help keep our region beautiful – join the community clean up

Did you know that a simple plastic bag can become a serial killer? Once a plastic bag is ingested by wildlife, the animal dies and decomposes, releasing the bag back into the environment to kill again.  

While most of us do the right thing, unfortunately, waste continues to be disposed of inappropriately and can end up in our waterways, causing pollution and harming wildlife.  

The good news is that you can help make a positive difference! The inaugural Clean up Central Highlands Community Day is taking place on Friday 23 October and council is encouraging all community members to get involved.  

Clean Up Central Highlands Community Day coincides with the Great Northern Clean Up day which is the northern sibling of Australia’s biggest environmental day – Clean Up Australia Day. The Queensland events are being held in October to take advantage of cooler weather and prior to the wet season so much of the rubbish will be cleaned up before it gets washed through our river systems. 

Mayor Kerry Hayes said Clean Up Central Highlands Community Day is a chance to make a positive difference and to meet some new people in the community at the same time. 

‘We live in a beautiful part of Australia and this is your opportunity to do your bit to ensure it remains that way,’ Mr Hayes said.  

‘It’s also a wonderful way to educate children about the environment and how important it is to dispose of rubbish responsibly. 

‘It will be a fun day out – participants will be rewarded with cold drinks and refreshments and children will receive gift packs.’ 

Clean ups will be held at Blackwater, Capella , Springsure and Rolleston from 3.00 pm on Friday 23 October.  Participants will be supplied with gloves and bags to pick up rubbish but are encouraged to bring their own gloves if they have them. Participants should also wear broad brimmed hats, sunscreen and long sleeves to protect from the sun.  

Details of the clean ups are as follows: 

Blackwater:  Meet at the Civic Centre to clean up the block of land on Bond Avenue, Bauman Way and Officer Avenue as well as blocks of lands around the Blackwater Civic Centre on Blain Street.  

Capella: Meet at the corner of Johnson Road and the Gregory Highway to clean Johnson Road. 

Rolleston: Meet at the truck stop. 

Springsure: 

Clean-up Springsure Tambo Road, meet at the showgrounds. 

There’s no need to register beforehand, simply turn up on the day.