Creating a cleaner future for the Georges River: our Litter Prevention Roadmap

When you hear alarming statistics like "100% of sea turtles have plastic in their guts" [1] and predictions that "by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish," [2] it becomes clear why reducing litter is a top priority for Georges Riverkeeper.

To tackle this urgent issue, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) approved $42,280 in funding for the Georges Riverkeeper Litter Prevention Roadmap. Part of the Waste and Sustainable Material Strategy (WASM) Litter Prevention Program's Intake 3, this project took a detailed look at our current situation and has mapped out the next five years of action to create lasting, sustainable change.

Building on the progress made with the 2023 Litter Prevention Strategy for the Georges River catchment, the Georges Riverkeeper Litter Prevention Roadmap guides the development of future projects. This is just the beginning of our commitment to long-term litter reduction.

To make this vision a reality, Georges Riverkeeper is collaborating with six member councils: Sutherland Shire, Georges River, Canterbury Bankstown, Bayside, Liverpool City, and Campbelltown City. Together, we have develop a detailed plan to achieve significant reductions in litter and protect the health of the river, its catchment, and the surrounding communities.

The Roadmap outline our targets for the future but also highlights the strategies we’ll use to meet them. From managing current litter issues to connecting various community and council-led initiatives, it is a comprehensive guide for both immediate action and ongoing efforts beyond the current EPA funding cycle.

Undertaking the actions in the roadmap is a significant step in our mission to create a liveable, healthy urban river for all to enjoy. Stay tuned for updates as we work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the Georges River.

This project is an initiative of the NSW Environment Protection Authority under the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, and is funded from the waste levy.

[1] Wilcox, Chris, et al. "A quantitative analysis linking sea turtle mortality and plastic debris ingestion." Scientific reports 8.1 (2018): 12536.

[2] Kaplan, Sarah. "By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans, study says." The Washington Post 20 (2016).