Turning the tide on litter and marine debris

• Crisafulli Government backs local action to clean up litter and protect Queensland’s environment.
• More than $460,000 awarded to 16 community-led projects tackling waste and restoring waterways.
• After Labor’s decade of decline and environmental neglect, the Crisafulli Government is empowering communities to protect local waterways and ecosystems. 

The Crisafulli Government is backing local communities to clean up litter and marine debris as part of its commitment to deliver a better environment for Queensland. 

Sixteen community groups will share in more than $460,000 in funding to ramp up their efforts to protect waterways and local ecosystems via the Community Sustainability Action Grants for Litter and Marine Debris Clean-up and Prevention program. 

The successful projects include on-the-ground clean-up activities in parks, reserves and coastal areas, as well as innovative local solutions to stop waste at the source. 

This is on top of the Crisafulli Government’s $35 million Zero Litter to the Bay initiative to install specialised stormwater filtration devices to high-litter areas across Moreton Bay. 

This investment from the Crisafulli Government comes as Queensland continues to recover from a decade of environmental decline under Labor – which saw landfill volumes soar to nearly 2 million tonnes, and recycling rates fall – leaving more rubbish in waterways. 

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said that preserving Queensland’s incredible natural environment in partnership with communities is a key focus of the government.  

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering a better environment for Queensland which is why we are investing in more action to get litter out of our precious waterways,” Minister Powell said.    

“Local communities are at the heart of environmental stewardship. No one understands their environment better, and we’re proud to back the grassroots groups working hard to protect it for future generations.” 

“Through initiatives like the Community Sustainability Action grants and our Zero Litter to the Bay program, we’re taking real steps to reduce pollution, protect wildlife, and improve water quality—addressing the environmental neglect left behind after Labor’s decade of decline.”  

Minister for Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business and Member for Chatsworth Steve Minnikin said these local projects have a big impact in our communities. 

“In my electorate, our local organisations are not only reducing litter and land-based debris from the Bulimba Creek Catchment area, they’re promoting awareness and encouraging others to protect our environment,” Minister Minnikin said. 

“These people work tirelessly to make our environment better for our community, and I couldn’t be more proud of our local environment groups like Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee.” 

Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association coordinator Saskia von Fahland said the Community Sustainability Action grant will be used to fund their newest project which aims to clean up Sarina Beach.