Waterway health in the Barwon River will be monitored through an innovative citizen science project tracking litter waste before it travels out to the bay.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing joined the Aquatic Environmental Stress Research Group scientists to launch GPS-enabled litter trackers into the Barwon River to simulate litter thrown in the catchments.
The state government invested $29,790 towards the Litter Trackers Project as part of the Coastcare grants program. The project was led by researchers from RMIT University who will work with school and community groups to release and track litter items fitted to GPS devices in Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast waterways.
Litter, specifically plastic, can be found in every environment on earth including some of Geelong’s significant waterways such as the Barwon River and the internationally Ramsar-listed Lake Connewarre.
The project aims to reduce litter ending up on the coast by educating local communities about the environmental cost of litter in our waterways.
The project raises awareness about the issue of litter and empowers individuals with knowledge to make more sustainable decisions to drive change.
Local Geelong schools involved in the initiative include Geelong High School and Northern Bay College, St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, St Terese Catholic Primary School and North Geelong Secondary College.
The Litter Trackers project: ‘Burbs to the Bay’ is a collaborative citizen science project between RMIT University, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Bellarine Catchment Network.
“Litter dropped on our streets is washed into stormwater systems where it eventually ends up in on our beaches, but this project will gather important information to help tackle the problem and protect our waterways,” Minister Shing said.
