Divers plunge into clean-up drive
Andrew Kopnoff, below, tests the water near Petone Wharf before next month’s Keep New Zealand Beautiful Week when he will join a team of divers organised by local business Dive & Ski HQ to clean up under the pier.
Dive & Ski HQ training manager Claire Murphy says that last year divers found shopping trolleys, fishing tackle, rods and knives, and plastic bags, containers and other litter. About a dozen divers took part, assisted by an almost equal number on shore, and she is hoping for an even better turnout this time round.
The divers will take to the water on September 16, the first day of this year’s clean-up week and also the designated Year of the Coast day. September 23 is the back-up in case of bad weather.
An estimated 4,000 Hutt volunteers took part in last year’s clean-up of local parks reserves, waterways and beaches. The nationwide event is organised by Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
The council’s co-ordinator of efforts in the city, Alan Pope, says groups and individuals are free to take part in any way they wish. However, registering with him will ensure there is no duplication of areas targeted for attention. Registration also gives groups a means to seek volunteers – and to get collection bags and disposable gloves. Alan can be reached on 570 6890 or at alan.pope@huttcity.govt.nz.
The council is also organising a hazardous waste collection at the riverbank carpark from 10am till 2pm on September 23.
Organiser Sandy Beath-Croft says it’s a good opportunity for people to get rid of non-commercial quantities of hazardous waste for free. “We will happily take paint, stains, varnishes, paint stripper, petrol and oil, thinners and degreasers, garden and cleaning chemicals, gas cylinders, fluorescent bulbs, batteries and pool chemicals.”
People who want to volunteer their time at the carpark can contact Sandy on 570 6758 or at Sandy.Beathcroft@huttcity.govt.nz. Lunch and snacks will be provided for volunteers.
Anyone wanting to join the Petone Wharf clean-up should contact Claire on 568 5028 or at diveskihq@xtra.co.nz.