BY DAKOTA TAIT
Hunter locals are being encouraged to join thousands of volunteers and get their hands dirty this Sunday as part of this year's Clean Up Australia Day.
Clean Up Australia Day, which was launched in Lake Macquarie more than thirty years ago, has since become Australia's biggest community-based litter collection effort.
Hundreds of sites across the Hunter, including Foreshore Park and Nobby's Beach, Redhead's Webb Park and Broadmeadow's District Park, have been elected as COVID-safe cleanup sites.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said it didn't take a lot of work to make a huge difference.
"It's a really important message that people get involved in Clean Up Australia," Cr Fraser said. "It's a really significant day for families to get out there and do their little bit around their community."
"Even if people can just volunteer half an hour or an hour, it doesn't matter, just to come out and do a little bit in their area, to pick up some rubbish that's been left behind."
To find the closest clean-up location near you, go to https://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/join-a-clean-up.