It’ll be all the fun of the fair on Clean Up Australia Day this year as Central Highlands Regional Council hosts a community barbeque at the Emerald Botanic Gardens on Sunday 4 March 2018.
Mayor Kerry Hayes said the family event is a way the council can say thanks to the volunteers and add some fun and educational opportunities to complement the clean-up.
‘I urge all Central Highlanders to come on down, register, don some gloves, grab some bags, and venture forth to make sure your favourite neighbourhood places are rubbish-free,’ he said.
‘This year I certainly echo the sentiments of Clean Up Australia Day Chairman Ian Kiernan in saying that it’s imperative that we reduce our appetite for single use plastic – takeaway containers, straws, plastic bags and excess packaging – so that they don’t have a chance to become litter or sit in landfill.
‘Queensland will introduce a Container Refund Scheme later this year and council has been fortunate to get hold of a reverse vending machine model to display on the day so we can all get a good look at how the concept will work.
‘We will also introduce the “104 or more” initiative to encourage everyone to pick-up at least two items of rubbish every day to ensure our towns are kept rubbish-free.
‘The park will be a hive of activity with a littering and recycling theme, so be sure to bring the family to enjoy the mega slide, climbing wall, kayak hire for a river paddle, and much more.
‘This year we’ve extended the registration start time to 8.30 am to encourage more volunteers to tackle the 18 clean-up sites. And, we’ll be asking everyone to bring their rubbish bags back to the start and participate in the separation of rubbish and recycling before heading through to the fair at 10.00 am.
‘So get your family, friends and work colleagues together and join us for, what I think will be, a terrific and worthwhile event.’
Clean Up Australia Day will be held at the northern end of the Emerald Botanic Gardens on Sunday March 4 2018. Registrations open at 8.30 am and the fair runs from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Entry is free.