Broome Chamber & Environs Kimberley collect half tonne rubbish on Streeter's jetty foreshore

Written on the 11 October 2016

An army of volunteers on a quest to clean-up an eyesore part of Chinatown collected half a tonne of rubbish within just meters of the nation's most famous pearl jewellery boutique shopping strip.

Forty-five bags of rubbish consisting mainly of alcohol containers and two rusty shopping trolleys were amassed from the sandy foreshore that weaves between mangroves behind Dampier Terrace.

Teams armed with gloves and bin liners started their clean-up at Streeter's Jetty and were exhausted by the amount of rubbish collected within just 100 metres away to Pearl Luggers.

The area has an embarrassing history of accumulating mountains of litter over several months, including empty beer cans and cartons along with glass and plastic drink bottles.

The collection was jointly organised by the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local conservation group Environs Kimberley after a similar event in the same place last year.

The amount of litter shocked the community and both groups vowed to do their bit by holding an annual clean-up.

The operation saw 15 volunteers amass piles of junk over two hours each bag weighed and documented to record contents which consisted of approximately 45% cans and other, 39% glass, and 16% plastic.

BCCI chief executive Jael Napper said company Tox Free made a huge difference by providing the skip bin for free, allowing people to empty their sacks and keep collecting.

"I have to say it felt good to get down there and pick all that rubbish up," she said.

"Our beautiful coastline is a national treasure and maybe because I'm new to Broome I just can't accept that we might turn our back on the water.

"There's certainly a swell of support growing from the business community in this effort."

Ms Napper said the BCCI wanted community groups and individuals to enlist for the clean ups to make them a regular event and "keep up momentum".

"Once again this was a great collaborative project but it does show that litter in Roebuck Bay mangroves is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed by the whole community," said Environs Kimberley Director Martin Pritchard.

"Not only is the litter harmful to sealife but it's also bad for business  given that Broome relies on a clean and green image."

We are calling for the WA governments 'cash for containers' scheme to be fast tracked in the Kimberley. (https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Barnett/2016/08/Cash-back-for-drink-containers-to-help-recycling.aspx)

"We need it to start now instead of mid 2018 as it would take out nearly half of the rubbish picked up along the Roebuck Bay foreshore."

Source:  Broome Advertiser, Glenn Cordingly