It’s a sad fact that plastic and debris are an environmental and aesthetic issue for Melbourne waterways and are continuously washing into the Port of Melbourne, and Moonee Ponds Creek from upstream. The Port of Melbourne are trying to eradicate and control the problem and employ regular contractors to help remove plastic and debris, but unfortunately that still isn’t enough and they require the support of the public to help.

The Port of Melbourne, alongside Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) have decided more can be and needs to be done to help our waterways thrive which is why they are sponsoring Ocean Crusaders’ ‘Paddle Against Plastic’ an event at the Moonee Ponds Creek this Sunday 23 September 2018.

Hundreds of volunteers will join force on paddle craft or on land to pick up debris within Moonee Ponds Creek, and stop that debris from making its way into Port Phillip Bay.

Port of Melbourne in addition to co-sponsoring the event with the Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) have expanded their sponsorship by including two days of waterway cleaning within the port region. Ocean Crusaders will be cleaning the river banks, on their 7 m barge, using a specialised rubbish vacuum system, and are expecting to remove up to 6 tonne of rubbish over these three days.

Any rubbish collected will be sorted, and entered into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database and disposed of accordingly.

If you would like to help Port of Melbourne be part of the solution, please register your interest here:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/melbourne-paddle-against-plastic-tickets-47406735823