Cleaning Up Our Coast - Belmont Wetlands

Background

The Belmont wetlands run along the coast between Lake Macquarie and Nine Mile Beach. Despite being one of our most beautiful and precious ecosystems, the area is a hot spot for illegal dumping.  The Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group wanted to clean up the wetlands and deter further dumping.

How did we do it?

Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group teamed up with Council, Landcare, Rotary, local schools, scouts and Belmont McDonalds to hold a Clean Up Australia Day event at the wetlands.  The efforts of all these groups, together with the commitment of the event organiser, local resident Rachel Wright, made it possible.

Council agreed to assist by collecting the bulky and hazardous items too dangerous for the group to handle.  Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group members promoted the day, Belmont Scouts brought lots of volunteers, Rotary put on a free BBQ lunch, and Belmont McDonalds donated refreshments.

What we achieved

  • 60 community members volunteered, encouraging ongoing community involvement in the rehabilitation of the site, and discouraging misuse by minority groups
  • 4.3 tonnes of rubbish collected (of a total of 15.28 tonnes in Lake Macquarie City)
  • The involvement of the Belmont Sustainable Neighbourhood Group has assisted Council to attract grant funds for on-ground works to enhance the wetlands
  • The group is organising a community planting day to coincide with National Tree Day in July 2012
  • Strengthened partnerships between local community groups and organisations in Belmont
Check out some of our other projects.

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