MEDIA RELEASE
Acting Premier
Minister for Education and Training
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Saturday 5 June, 2004-06-23

Sea divers keep Sydney Harbour clean for World Environment Day

Recreational divers will help to keep Sydney Harbour clean by removing rubbish from the seabed each time they dive under a new iniative supported by the State Government.

Joining local divers at Manly today, Acting Premier, Dr Andrew Refshauge said the HarbourKeepers project would help divers, boat owners, wimmers and other beach lovers clean up Sydney Harbour.

"Every time we go to the beach, every time we swim or dive, we can make a difference and protect our marine environment", Dr Refshauge said.

"Sydney Harbour will only stay clean if we all take responsibility for removing rubbish every time we see it.

"For families that means taking rubbish from the beach or harbour-side picnic areas, for swimmers and boat owners it means getting rid of floating bottles or other garbage.

"And for divers, like myself, I would encourage you all to take a bag each time you dive and collect whatever rubbish you can".

HarbourKeepers is a National Parks Association Marine program that involves local Councils, Sea Scouts, the Navy, dive clubs, schools and Rotary Clubs - it includes:

• a specialist group of environmental volunteers to organise regular underwater and beach clean-ups and biodiversity surveys;

• the establishment of a group of recreational divers to conduct underwater research monitoring projects;

• the protection and restoration of Sydney Harbour foreshore bushland areas;

• a website for Sydneysiders to register and nominate sites for clean up;

• a forum for Sydneysiders to take greater ownership of harbour health issues.

It also relies on the on-going work of NSW Government agencies such as the Waterways Authority, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Sydney Ports Corporation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Inaugural HarbourKeepers projects begin in the Manly Council area this month.

"The harbour is cleaner than it has been for decades - but it will only stay that way if everybody looks after it as if it was their own back yard", Dr Refshauge said.

Contact: Nino Tesoriero 02 9228 4499 or 0411 313 689