Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Daniel Lambert said the event, which 35 team members took part in with 45 kilograms of rubbish collected, supported the utility’s focus on the environment.
“We know we play a vital role in protecting our natural environment and enhancing the health and liveability of our region,” Mr Lambert said.
“The well-being of our region’s ecosystems and communities relies on the preservation of our waterways and as a caretaker of these precious resources, we are taking steps to enhance waterway health and combat nutrient pollution.”
“This clean-up demonstrated our team members’ individual commitment to the environment and our ongoing initiatives at Unitywater for a more sustainable future.”
Mr Lambert said Unitywater had been progressing an Environmental Sustainability Plan to help guide the utility over the next two decades.
“We aspire to be an environmental leader by embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and driving collective efforts towards a greener and more sustainable world,” he said.
“The plan will align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and will cover research support, the progression of nature-based solutions to help deliver our water and wastewater services and looking at how we can reuse recycled water in projects like our Wamuran Irrigation Scheme.”
“We’re also striving for net zero carbon and net zero nutrients being released into waterways and this plan will help us achieve that.”
Ten Little Pieces Founder Alison Foley, who ran the clean-up event, has backed this year’s theme of ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ and encouraged everyone to pick up ten pieces of rubbish when they visit the beach.
“Ten Little Pieces is an education and empowerment movement inspired by micro efforts that add up to big impact. Our programs being UN SDG education to schools across the region – but it’s action that we need so being here today to support Unitywater was fantastic”, she said.
“It’s been great to work with Unitywater and understand how they can help make a real difference to our environment through sustainable practices.”
