4WD CLUB MEMBERS CLEAN UP FRASER ISLAND

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today thanked the 953 volunteers from the Queensland Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs who helped clean up Fraser Island over the Australia Day long weekend.

Ms Nelson-Carr said as well as collecting 50 cubic metres of rubbish, the volunteers worked alongside Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers to remove exotic and introduced plants from across the island.

“QPWS rangers work hard to protect and present Fraser Island in all its natural glory,” she said.

“They value this partnership with the Queensland Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs because the support and effort of its members contributes enormously to keeping the World Heritage-listed island in pristine condition.”

For the first time on the annual Fraser Island Clean-Up, litter that campers had left behind such as cigarette butts, twist ties, drink straws, bottle caps, tents, mattresses and plastic bottles exceeded the rubbish that had washed ashore such as buoys, markers, thongs and timber.

“QPWS recognises the majority of visitors to Fraser Island are responsible and considerate in taking their rubbish home with them but clean-ups such as this reveal that this isn’t always the case,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to do their bit to ensure the World Heritage-listed island remains beautiful for the next generation.”

The volunteers cleaned up the beaches from Indian Head to Hook Point as well as camping areas and the inland lakes areas.

The efforts of the QPWS and the public including members of the Queensland Association of Four Wheel Drive clubs were recognised last year when Fraser Island’s Seventy Five Mile Beach won the Litter Prevention Award in the Clean Beach Challenge for the Central Queensland-Wide Bay region.

Media contact: Andie Gatti 3336 8002