The Werribee River Association (WRA) was named the ‘2024 Cities Winner’ in the litter category in the Tidy Towns & Cities Awards on Monday, October 28.
The WRA were presented the award by Keep Australia Beautiful for its Werribee River Litter Blitz Program, an initiative designed to combat litter in the Werribee River and its catchment waterways.
Operating as a multifaceted campaign, the program utilises education, advocacy and direct clean up missions to tackle pollution and keep community awareness high.
The group has been involved in clean ups since its formation in 1981, but has rapidly scaled up measures in the last decade.
Five permanent clean up groups have been established and conduct monthly cleans, while individuals also perform cleans and report their work in the Litter Stopper App, a database which is shared with the government.
The WRA estimates it removes between five to six tonnes of litter from the environment annually through the program.
The group’s education work extends to schools, supporting students with their own litter audits and actions, and giving presentations to community groups.
The WRA carries out the Litter Blitz program in collaboration with Wyndham council and support from Melbourne Water and other key partners such as the Environment Protection Authority.
Through partnerships with other agencies, the WRA has also joined multiple campaigns, to reduce litter at source, and to improve the amenities to contain litter.
To get involved: Lisa Field at 0433 559 530 or admin@werribeeriver.org.au.
Jaidyn Kennedy
