Clean up Australia Day breaking records in Lake Mac

Published on 03 March 2023

A record-breaking 100 sites have been registered in Lake Macquarie for this weekend’s Clean Up Australia Day.

Last year’s Clean Up Australia Day efforts saw almost five tonnes of rubbish removed from the lake’s natural environment.

Council’s Sustainability Engagement Officer Margo Smith said Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie, Lake Macquarie SES and Combined Hunter Underwater Group are among the many volunteer organisations pitching in to clean up the lake this year.

“Human activity has major impacts on our local bushland and waterways, which are home to a diversity of wildlife,” she said.

“Volunteering at a Clean Up Australia Day site is a great way for everyone to pitch in and make a difference.”

“It’s particularly timely to think about this today, on World Wildlife Day. Cleaning up our environment is a rewarding way for us all to make a difference for our local flora and fauna and show we care.”

Ms Smith, who has participated in the Combined Hunter Underwater Group clean-up efforts in Swansea Channel for more than 10 years, said she was looking forward to getting involved again at this year’s event.

“A lot of people don’t realise that Swansea Channel is a thriving marine habitat,” she said.

“Some of the species we see down there are incredible, so it’s always heartening to help clean it up knowing every bit counts.”

Volunteers at Sunday’s Clean Up Australia Day sites need to take their own gloves and water, and wear enclosed footwear. For more information and a list of registered sites, go to cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.