A Cleaner Kimberley

More than 10 tonnes of discarded rubbish has been collected and removed by communities and school children from across the Kimberley in a bid to protect one of the world's most unique and iconic regions.

Results from the Clean Up the Kimberley Weekend, which took place in October, show that 2,847 volunteers (up 1,000 on last year) cleaned up 72 registered sites, a total area of 12,000 square kilometres. The weekend represents the main focus of a year long Clean Up the Kimberley program of which COLORBOND® steel is the principal partner.

David Bare, National Marketing Manager, Strategy and Development for BlueScope Steel announced the event to have been a remarkable and important success.

"The sheer amount of rubbish collected was staggering," David said. "It's comforting to know that it is no longer posing a threat to wildlife or spoiling the beauty of the region. We are proud to be involved in such a valuable initiative."

Of the waste, aluminium cans, glass bottles, plastic containers and plastic bags were the most collected items. From the Fitzroy River and tributaries alone, more than 800 kilograms of cans, bottles and containers were removed. Over 3,000 kilometres of roadside was also safely and effectively cleaned.

The more unusual items collected by volunteers included an oxygen mask, a hairdryer, Queensland number plates, a tent and a pair of clown sunglasses with a red nose.

Clean Up Australia Chairman, Ian Kiernan AO, said the year round education and awareness building campaigns being run with the support of the Kimberley community and corporate partners were clearly having an impact on waste disposal habits in the region, particularly along the well known Gibb River Road.

"We collected more than 10 tonnes of waste over the weekend; waste that will no longer continue to rubbish the pristine image of Kimberley," Ian said. "Thank you to everyone who came out on the weekend to help preserve the Kimberley's natural beauty."

Great enthusiasm was shown from the school children who volunteered; they kicked off the weekend campaign with a 'Friday Fun Arvo' event, at which the COLORBOND® steel Future In Our Hands photographic competition winner was announced, with St Mary's Senior School student Jason George taking first prize.