Adopt a spot - keep our roads clean
MEDIA RELEASE - Adopt a spot - keep our roads clean
August 2015
In an effort to make the region a more beautiful place to visit, particularly with the rise in interest in the Southern Forests as a tourist destination, Shire President Wade DeCampo is encouraging people to take more pride in their home towns by disposing of their rubbish properly rather than littering the roads.A Keep Australia Beautiful WA (KAB WA) initiative known as the 'Adopt-a-Spot Program' is taking steps to solve this growing problem, by engaging volunteers to coordinate the litter clean-up of areas, which these volunteers become responsible for, within the community.
"It was following a major event that was held in the Shire, that as I drove around, I noticed litter everywhere - not just on the main roads. Our goal is to have more and more people come to visit the region and ideally we want them to spend more time here, invest and even relocate. Litter really detracts from all of the natural beauty that we're surrounded by and stains a positive experience with negative imagery" said Shire President Wade DeCampo.
There are already several participants in the Adopt-a-Spot program from Manjimup, spanning from individuals who look after the piece of road along which their property runs, to community groups who have 'adopted' part of the highway or a major reserve.
"Litter is an issue for everyone. Studies show that if you keep an area clean, there is more chance of it remaining clean. However if litter is visible others are more likely to also litter," added Cr DeCampo.
Any individual, organisation or community group who is interested in taking part in the Adopt-a-Spot program should contact KAB WA via adoptaspot@kabc.wa.gov.au or call the coordinator on 6467 5339.
KAB WA provide bags, gloves, tongs, sharps containers and insurance to groups at no cost,with other promotional material and anti-litter campaign resources also available to help extend the anti-littering message.
"We have so many community minded people who are already playing an important role in keeping our towns and surrounding areas pristine, by regularly picking up rubbish along our roads. The Shire is very much behind this campaign and all of the community benefits that it brings, including the sense of pride that comes from looking after the beautiful environment in which we have the privilege of living," said Cr DeCampo.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Manjimup.
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Public Relations Officer, Shire of Manjimup
Contact: 9771 7777
