Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin is calling on Maroondah residents to pull on some gloves, grab a bag and help out at one of the Clean Up Australia Day sites located throughout the municipality on Sunday 7 March.

“Council has nominated the Croydon Wetlands in Norton Road as the clean-up site for residents who wish to help make their local environment more attractive on Clean Up Australia Day,” Cr Makin said.

“If you’re able to help, then we will look forward to seeing you between 9.30 and 11.30am,” Cr Makin said.

“Helpers are asked to be safe when participating by wearing sturdy footwear, gloves, sunscreen and a hat, and by bringing refreshments and a rubbish bag or bucket,” Cr Makin said.

The community can meet Council officers in the car park adjacent to Fred Geale Oval, Norton Road, Croydon (Melway reference 50 K5).

“To date there is one other site registered in Maroondah on the Clean Up Australia Day website, at Dandenong Creek, Heathmont,” said Cr Makin. “It’s worth checking the website for the details, and for other sites that may be registered.”

Alternatively, groups can register their own site on the Clean Up Australia website.

“The Maroondah community has always shown strong support for Clean Up Australia Day and we value the many volunteers who keep coming back to help clean up our parks, reserves and roadsides,” Cr Makin said.

“Last year approximately 225 people collected almost two tonnes of rubbish from across 13 sites in Maroondah, in addition to a number of schools participating on the Clean Up School Day,” Cr Makin said.

“It would be great to see new faces this year helping to make our community even more enjoyable to live in. So if you’re able, please come along – you’ll be warmly welcomed,” Cr Makin said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day, which aims to encourage people to make a difference to their local environment by cleaning up set locations during the event. In 2009, almost 630,000 volunteers helped remove rubbish from about 7000 sites during Clean Up Australia Day.

For further information or to register your involvement visit www.cleanup.org.au or phone Clean Up Australia on 1800 282 329, alternatively contact Council’s Strategic Planning and Sustainability Team on 1300 88 22 33.

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