THIRTY-SEVEN paddlers pulled 307 kilograms of rubbish from Tingalpa Creek during a Paddle Against Plastic event.
Community group Ocean Crusaders combined forces with Redlands Kayak Tours to host the event on Saturday November 17, cleaning the upper reaches of Tingalpa Creek on kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and canoes.
Among the paddlers was Redlands MP Kim Richards, who said she was impressed by the group’s efforts.
The rubbish collected included a shopping trolley, a bed head, more than 150 plastic bottles and hundreds of pieces of polystyrene.
With heavy rain hitting the area on Saturday night, Ocean Crusaders founder Ian Thomson said it was a relief to see the rubbish safely resting in the back of a ute rather than being washed out to Moreton Bay.
“Tingalpa Creek is a beautiful creek to paddle and removing all the debris washed into it is vital to protect this pristine wilderness for our marine and bird life,” Mr Thomson said.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get the remaining 6 trolleys and a mattress that were seen but hopefully we can get them in the near future.”
Kayaks were provided by local business Redland Kayak Tours that runs tours in Tingalpa Creek and other waterways across the Redlands.
Owner Katrina Beutel said the pollution of waterways starts at the shops.
“We find ourselves cleaning on every trip we run,” Ms Beutel said.
“We encourage more people to hit the waters and play their part, however it must stop at the shops. We have to stop buying plastics.”
Kate Koric, owner of event sponsor Gemini Insurance Brokers, said she was proud to be helping the environment.
“It is important to appreciate what we have here in the Redlands and to look after it,” Ms Koric said.
Mr Thomson said planning for more clean ups was underway, and encouraged Redlands residents to keep picking up rubbish from waterways or parks.
