A team of four workers employed by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority's Drought Employment Program have been cleaning up the river at Shepparton and Mooroopna.
A team of four workers employed by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority's Drought Employment Program have been cleaning up the river at Shepparton and Mooroopna.
GB CMA River Health Team Leader for Lower Goulburn Waterways Richard Warburton said the work team had come across vast amounts of rubbish including old tyres, plastic bags and household waste.
"The crew, managed with support from Greater Shepparton City Council, has cleaned up large areas at Shepparton Weir and Reedy Swamp," Mr Warburton said.
"They have carried out exotic weed control along the Shepparton side of the Goulburn River from Reedy Swamp to the Broken River confluence including the floodplains.
"Also, exotic weed control and rubbish collection in the State Forest Reserve between Shepparton and Mooroopna.
"The next step for the crew is to build bird hides at Gemmills Swamp."
Strategic River Health Manager Wayne Tennant said work carried out by the Drought Employment crew was part of the RiverConnect project.
"RiverConnect is a vision to establish a connection between the Greater Shepparton community and the Goulburn River," Mr Tennant said.
"It is a celebration of the river, which flows through the heart of Shepparton and Mooroopna and a project that aims to raise awareness of the river's environmental, cultural, recreational and economic value.
The RiverConnect concept was born out of discussions between the City of Greater Shepparton, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and other key natural resource management, Aboriginal and educational organisations.
Mr Tennant urged Goulburn Valley residents to dispose of litter at facilities provided by the City of Greater Shepparton.
He said plastic bags choke the river network, strangle aquatic life such as platypus and create an unsightly mess.
"Canvas bags are available at the GB CMA for local residents to use in place of plastic bags," Mr Tennant said.
Anyone interested in obtaining a canvas bag can visit the GB CMA at 168 Welsford St, Shepparton.
The Drought Employment Program was funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and has allowed the GB CMA to employ 60 farmers, farm workers and farm service providers for six months.
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For more information contact:
Anna Humphris at Impress Publicity 58 212 651 or anna@impresspublicity.com.au
or
Mark Turner at the GB CMA 58 22 7700 or reception@gbcma.vic.gov.au