Three successful island clean-up events have taken place in close succession, led by coordinators Ian and Mike, along with the support of passionate volunteers and local organisations. These clean-ups on Facing Island, Bustard Bay, and Curtis Island have resulted in the removal of significant amounts of debris, highlighting the collective commitment towards preserving our marine ecosystems.
Facing Island Clean-Up: The Facing Island Clean-up marked the first of the three events, where 22 enthusiastic volunteers, accompanied by coordinators Ian and Mike, traveled to Facing Island via Curtis Ferry Services who provided free transport. This team’s effort resulted in the collection of 48 bags of debris, totaling an impressive 278kg. The Port Curtis Coral Coast People, Gidarjil Development Corporation Trainee group, Gladstone Regional Council, and Gladstone Ports Corporation provided invaluable support by contributing vehicles and manpower.
Bustard Bay Clean-Up: The Bustard Bay Clean-up witnessed the participation of a dedicated team of 20 volunteers, including special guests Katie and Chappt from Amity Blue and young Tangaroa Blue ambassador Elijah and his mother. The team embarked on a mission to clean up an 8km stretch of beach between Eurimbula Creek and Middle Creek, facilitated by the iconic LARC. They successfully collected 20 bags of debris, totaling 197kg. Prior to their arrival, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and LARC staff had also collected approximately 100kg of large debris. Noteworthy discoveries included three Longline Trackers and a significant section of a net from a FAD, which will be repurposed as part of Project ReCon.
Curtis Island Clean-Up: The Curtis Island Clean-up involved a group of 34 volunteers who undertook a massive clean-up mission over the weekend collecting 45 bags of debris, weighing a total of 355kg. Dividing into two groups, one focusing on Turtle Street and the other on Joey Lee’s, the volunteers faced varying levels of debris. Mike’s group encountered a beach covered in debris, successfully filling 27 bags weighing 185kg. Furthermore, local volunteers Matt Klem and his family contributed an additional 15 bags, weighing 152kg. Notably, a significant number of plastic lids, predominantly the foreign brand AQUA from Malaysia, were discovered, highlighting the global nature of marine pollution. The success of this clean-up event was made possible by the support extended by Curtis Ferry Services, Gladstone Backpackers, and the three LNG Plants: Shell’s QGC business, Santos, and ConocoPhillips. Special appreciation is also extended
Thank you to all who were involved in these annual clean-ups!