If you needed any more indication that community spirit is alive and well look no further than the past month of cleaning up in the region with a deluge of flood rubbish coming up via Teewah, Rainbow Beach, Inskip Point and on to K’gari (Fraser Island).
Tangaroa Blue was one the organisations who jumped to action with a clean-up in the area providing seats in their 4WDs for those requiring a lift to the beach.
The team targeted different regions of the beach with their volunteers starting at the northern section of Teewah Beach and organisers said they removed 2.6 tonnes of debris from Cooloola which they record in the Australia Marine Debris Initiative Database.
They said it was interesting to see the range in types of debris along the different zones of the beach.
“Treated timber was high on the list of flood specific items, as well as plastic remnants and pieces of foam.
“Included in the list of unusually high numbers were single-use plastic straws despite them being banned in Queensland and hundreds of tennis balls.
“Perhaps most shocking was the level of microplastics on the northern end near Double Island Point. AUSMAP samples were collected for analysis.
“A massive ‘hats off’ to the community members, QPWS Parks Rangers and campers that have been working hard to remove the large items from the beach over the last few weeks. Thanks to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services for your support and to the Adventure Centre 4WD for getting us where we needed to be.
“We would also like to thank the Queensland Department of Environment and Science (QDES) and Ocean Conservancy for the opportunity to serve our South-East Queensland community and environment during such a difficult time.”
If you are out in South-East Queensland and notice any flood debris hotspots, Tangaroa Blue want to know about it.
“Weather conditions, tides and currents are continually changing and what seemed a relatively clean beach one day may be a disaster the next.”
“Flood debris is a fluid situation, and we are working alongside local partners to respond when and where we can.”
Representatives from Tangaroa Blue said if you can take photos and note GPS locations and tag www.facebook.com/tangaroa.blue the team can keep track of flood debris movements.
Lindy Orwin from Cooloola Coastcare said Maritime Safety Queensland also organised a beach clean-up with Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) assisting.
She said dozens of citizens were pitching in every day doing what they could.
“We are all in this together as a community and we appreciate all visitors who pitch in as well.”
“The job is huge; it would be nice to have a magic wand, but it takes time sadly.”
Thanks to everyone in the community who is doing so much to help keep our beaches clean, it really does make a difference.
