2 March 2016… Nearly 90% of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary shoreline will be cleaned up during March by the Clean Up Peel Waterways initiative, a joint community project which involves 18 community groups and supporters coming together to improve the health of the Ramsar-listed Peel Yalgorup system.

Eighteen separate Clean Up events are being facilitated through Friends of Rivers, Peel supported by the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council with funding from the Australian Government. People are encouraged to join the initiative by registering for a Clean Up event.

Friends of Rivers, Peel Co-ordinator Barry Small said the 2016 program is the best yet and was designed specifically to offer engagement at all levels of the community.

“While we appreciate the efforts of those people in our community who regularly pick up after others to keep our waterways litter free, it is very pleasing to note this year we have families, friends, schools, sporting clubs and community groups all uniting to join this inaugural month long event, ” said Barry Small.

“There are so many ways people can get involved in the 2016 program. Multiple events are open for registration this year which will see clean ups occur across the inlet and estuary shorelines, including the Murray River from above the weir at Pinjarra to the Delta Islands and the Serpentine River from Goegrup Lake to the Peel Inlet. It is a fantastic result from a community that cares about its environment, and we encourage people to join an event by logging their details online,” he said.

Waterways mascot Dudley Dolphin will be making guest appearances at events courtesy of the Mandurah Environment and Heritage Group.

“Dudley Dolphin will be appearing at the Riverview Boat Ramp this Sunday 6th March 8-11.30 am and at Samphire Cove on Sunday 27 March 9-11.30am. Dolphins, shorebirds and other estuarine species cannot clean up our waterways, but we can!’ said Barry Small. For details on events and how to register visit www.peel-harvey.org.au/events

ENDS…

Media Contact: Jane O’Malley, Chief Executive Officer, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, Jane.Omalley@peel-harvey.org.au , (08) 6369 8800

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present