WEST ROTOITI CARE GROUP
Our major effort in the past months was run in conjunction with the “Clean Up For The Cup” initiative advertised by Christine Findon of Keep Rotorua Beautiful.
We were provided with rubbish bags and stickers by the Council
On Saturday 3rd September a group of upwards of fourteen local residents collected 40 bags of litter on a 5 km stretch of Highway between Mourea and Okere Falls..
Litter, mainly bottles and fast food packaging, was collected, but there were some nasty surprises. Close to the boat ramp near The Whangamarino School there were decaying possum carcasses, minus their skins, and other toxic rubbish (such as human faeces) which all presented health hazards. Council were notified; we were not equipped to deal with this filth. One of the team actually became very nauseated when confronted with this mess. Along with the rubbish clean up, road side planting was trimmed. A great effort by the team. A couple of days later one couple who had cleaned along the hill past the Happy Angler Store noted the return of the fast food wrappers. Rather soul destroying.
We have been hampered by the high winds of the past weeks, but hope to get a weed spray applied to grass verges as soon as the wind dies down.
As always there are individuals and couples who take ownership of specific areas and I am very appreciative of their efforts and indeed of all residents who answer the call.
I hope to have a quick Clean Up For Christmas. Date to be notified. I am always happy to hear from anyone who has disposable time, and who would like to assist us to keep our area attractive
Jan Wilkins 07 3624976