Don’t rubbish our coast this Easter
National Parks and local reserves provide plentiful Easter holidays camping options on the west coast. We have some of the most stunning scenery in Australia as our natural playground and that’s why collectively we all have a role to play in keeping it clean and beautifully wild.
An Eyre Peninsula environment free of rubbish over the holiday and year round for local residents, national and international tourists is something Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula, the District Council of Streaky Bay and the District Council of Elliston is keen to see.
Coastal Management Officer Louise Mortimer is encouraged by community groups, schools and local councils who’ve been work hard to keep campgrounds, boat ramps and public areas clean during throughout the year.
“This is particularly difficult during the summer and autumn seasons when visitor numbers increase across the region. Without their hard work, our beautiful coastline and wildlife would really suffer,” said Ms Mortimer.
“Disappointingly we’ve been seeing a lot of littered fish waste, offal, fishing line, tackle, unused bait, burley and food packaging still in our region. Our rangers work hard to reduce the number of entanglements but the best way is prevention, stop rubbish getting into the ocean in the first place,” said Ms Mortimer.
District Services Manager District Council of Streaky Bay Penny Williams says it’s really important for both public safety and amenity that these sorts of items are disposed of properly.
“Using the appropriate disposal facilities, or taking your rubbish home with you if bins are not present, minimises the risks to other users and assists us in helping maintain quality coastal facilities in the district,” said Ms Williams.
Discarded fishing line is a leading cause of animal entanglements if not disposed of correctly. Birds such pelicans and gulls are particularly vulnerable to becoming entangled.
District Council of Elliston Operations Manager Arthur Johnstone says we’ve provided bins at our designated campgrounds for the convenience of visitors.
“Our visitors are generally very good at keeping campgrounds rubbish-free, and we’re always very pleased to hear that people are helping out. A number of visitors we have had stay over the past month have complimented the district on its tidy appearance and lack of rubbish laying around and that’s a credit to everyone,” said Mr Johnstone.
Marine debris (rubbish / litter) is recognised as a process threatening the survival of organisms and ecosystems under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. There are a number of regional and state-wide programs that operate across Australia aimed at increasing awareness and reducing the impact of marine debris on coastal environments including local community and school groups supported by Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula to undertake marine debris monitoring and beach clean-ups as part of the Eyre Peninsula Marine Debris management program, which has been running since 2008.
For more information please visit: www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/projects-and-partners/marine-debris-management
