We are blessed with pristine swimming and boating spots in Lake Macquarie, but clean water is something we can easily take for granted. It wasn’t so long ago that our Lake was in much poorer health, and it took a concerted effort by Council, the State Government and our community to restore the water quality. This year’s Clean Up Australia Day will have a strong focus on reducing the amount of plastics and rubbish that enter the waterways each year. This emphasis on waterway health is very relevant to our City and I expect Lake Macquarie schools, business groups and community members will again respond enthusiastically to the call to spend a few hours clearing rubbish from our environmentally sensitive areas.

This year’s Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday, March 4, and Council is encouraging residents and community groups to identify areas in need of attention, recruit volunteers and register the clean-up site on the Clean Up Australia Day website. To register your site, visit cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/register. Schools Clean Up Day is Friday 2 March and Business Clean Up Day is Tuesday 27 February.

Registe your site by February 12 to ensure it is included in Council’s Clean Up Australia Day promotions.