The River Canoe Club of NSW and the Cooks River Alliance (CRA) have launched a new litter strategy aimed at cleaning up the local waterway.
The strategy relies on members of the canoe club for data measurement, collection and reporting of litter, and establishes litter reduction targets meeting Environmental Protection Agency of NSW (EPA NSW) standards.
"Our aim is to halve the waste across the Cooks River Catchment area by 2025," the club's million statement says.
"This will create a loved and healthy river valley enriching the heart of Sydney."
The strategy is to tackle the Cooks River litter problem at its source before it has a chance to enter the river.
The strategy has been developed for the River Canoe Club of NSW in collaboration with the Cooks River Alliance, supported by a grant by the EPA NSW.
It uses the EPA's framework to develop a 'whole of catchment' approach to litter prevention.
The River Canoe Club OF NSW is located on the banks of the Cooks River at Tempe and regularly cleans up the river by organising the Mullets Monthly Clean-up and the Annual Paddle Against Plastic.
The strategy will build on the club's activities to partner with organisations and identify coordinated local action.
It will establish a new baseline measure of litter in 2021 and will utilise the EPA's Litter Data Framework to monitor litter in the Cooks River catchment and estuary.
This will include identifying litter hot spots, monitoring litter quantities and coordinating with the Cooks River Alliance which will report on litter loads and collection as part of future Cooks RIver Report Cards.
The strategy has three strategic directions:
- to build a network of organisation working collaboratively across the Cooks River catchment;
- launch catchment-scale programs for litter prevent;
- develop integrated data collection and reporting across the Cooks River catchment.
Bayside Council endorsed the strategy at its October 13 meeting.
The council's endorsement is an important step in securing the next round of EPA Litter Protection Grants.