Residents in Macquarie Fields, New South Wales, are encouraged to join one of several local clean-up sites on Sunday, 1 March 2026. This effort for Clean Up Australia Day aims to remove litter and debris from the Georges River catchment to help protect the local environment.
According to the Georges Riverkeeper, the ecological health of the freshwater sections of the river recently dropped to a C-plus grade. This decline is often caused by rain washing rubbish from roads and carparks into the water during wet summer months.
Volunteers can help at nearby spots like Simmos Beach and local reserves to stop floating pollutants from clogging the river and causing issues with flooding. Georges Riverkeeper is currently testing the water quality to monitor the health of the river’s tiny insects and animals.
As of 19 February 2026, there are 16 sites registered across the Georges River catchment where neighbours can work together to pick up rubbish. These events give people a practical way to improve water quality and protect the natural beauty of the local riverbanks.
The national event is coordinated by Clean Up Australia in partnership with several local groups. This allows residents to directly help prevent debris from moving downstream and affecting more of the river system.
