It was great to see community leaders such as Rotary president Bob Antill and councillor Phil Constable (pictured to the left) out and about picking up rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day.
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In the past school groups have also become involved and giving young people the message of cleaning up is even more important.
It’s heartbreaking to see news footage of masses of plastic and rubbish floating off once pristine beaches in places around Asia and other parts of the world. The ocean has absorbed so much plastic that it is now spread throughout ecosystems.
We are so lucky to live where we do, away from the major populations and sources of litter. Narooma district relies on being sparkling clean, pristine and undeveloped as that is our main selling point for tourism.
Thankfully we don’t have any large fast food chains in our towns nor any on the horizon either. Once one of these monsters come to town, not only does our health suffer but so does the health of our environment with burger and chip wrappers littering every pull over, rest stop and parking lot.
Deny it all you want, but it happened at Bega and it would happen here too. Just be thankful we don’t have the permanent population to make it tempting for the for the fast food chains to set up shop.
Clean Up day should be every day, both in terms of not littering and also in terms of picking up after others. Don’t wait for the official day, do it year round!
The Narooma Community Group of the Year at this year’s Australia Day ceremony award ceremony at the beautiful clean Surf Beach went to the Narooma, North Narooma, Kianga and Dalmeny Landcare Group.
The award was picked up by Heather McMillan who said everyone in Narooma when going to the beach or park, should pick one or two bits of rubbish. Great advice Heather and I am pleased to remind people of this worthwhile message and community service.
Eurobodalla Shire Council also deserves praise for last month deciding to plan balloon releases in council parks and reserves. Now that needs to be expanded and balloons banned everywhere as for a short-term thrill, our wildlife has to suffer for a long time. Let’s hope the container deposit scheme arrives soon as that program not only benefits community groups and individuals who can cash in on recycling, but cuts down on litter.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
