Students help with mangrove clean-up

A group of students from Brisbane Waters Secondary College's Umina campus assisted in the clean-up of litter from the northern mangroves of Rileys Island on Thursday, November 21.

The group of 13 volunteers also started removing tyres in the Davistown Channel mangroves and received assistance from local oyster grower Mr Todd Ellis.

The mechanical failure of an IRB motor reduced the scale of the program, with only one boat required to shuttle the group to Rileys Island.

Tidal water was limited with a rising tide, meaning the students found it difficult to leave the craft and return the litter.

Tyres, oyster product, processed timber and many old beer bottles were collected.

They were then transported to an old pontoon across the channel.

All students were than taken across the channel and introduced to the task of dragging, carrying and rolling heavy car and truck tyres out of the mangroves.

Hardwood pallets were then carried out of the mangrove and stacked for collection.

After the day's clean-up activities, worn out students were given a swim and bush walk at Waterfall Bay.

No litter was returned to the ramp for disposal.

Email, 21 Nov 2013

Graham Johnston, Brisbane Waters Foreshore Program