Residents rally for Clean Up Australia Day

Community spirit was shining bright at Hamilton Reach on Sunday 6 March for Clean Up Australia Day – but this year, the highly anticipated annual event came with a difference.

Just one week before, residents watched as debris – some as big as boats and pontoons – floated past the riverside enclave during the extreme weather event.
Thankfully, Hamilton Reach emerged completely unscathed by the rising water levels of the Brisbane River, however the riverbank to the Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal was littered with debris.

Led by the Hamilton Reach Community Association, more than 50 residents volunteered to clean up the shoreline. They worked tirelessly removing large amounts of pollutants, including polystyrene from damaged pontoons, which had washed up directly onto Northshore Beach.

HRCA representative Nikki Redfern said the event showed just how much the community loves and cares for their ‘beautiful backyard’.
 
“It was a great morning and wonderful to see how many people wanted to help,” Nikki said.

Northshore Harbour Café provided much needed sustenance for the group, who were treated to a complimentary breakfast by Frasers Property.

General Manager Development Queensland at Frasers Property Australia, Scott Ullman, said the Hamilton Reach community was remarkable in a number of ways, however the coming together of residents in a display of such comradery and care for the local environment was truly something special.

“It’s brilliant to see a new community show such a strong sense of pride and connection to the places they now call home,” Scott said.

“We’re lucky to have such a committed, connected group of people living at Hamilton Reach – it’s a big part of what makes it such a wonderful neighbourhood.”