How To Counteract Pollution In Coffs Harbour

1/. Place a rubbish trap at the mouth of the Coffs Creek. This will stop tons of garbage from flowing out to sea every year.

2/. Provide shade cloth or wire fence barriers to stop the constant flow of rubbish near the bridges and easements near creeks where people walk and throw their takeaway food rubbish would act as a barrier where it could be collected. This will help stop the flow cycle of rubbish into the creeks. Regular rubbish areas are flow zones for pollution.

3/. Provide larger outdoor eating areas at major takeaway outlets and try and get them to use reusable plates and drink containers thereby reducing landfill and street rubbish alike. Provide some incentives for them to do this.

4/. Have all supermarkets convert over to the paid trolley system so they don't end up abandoned on our streets and in the creeks.

5/ Have a major clean up of our creeks and waterways to get the bulk of the rubbish out of there.

6/. Use people with Community Orders to keep our streets clean especially in areas near takeaway food establishments and along main roads and street hot spots. From Park Beach shopping areas right into town along the highway and along creeks there.

7/. Check restaurants aren't cutting costs by dumping their toxic tank waste into the creeks as they've been doing for years.Council was notified of this many times. Its easy to check their records that should be picked up by contractors on a regular basis and fine those that did the wrong thing. They need to keep records for seven years so its easy to find those polluters. They have killed hundreds of fish and destroyed much of the towns Eco system because of this depositing of heavy metals and toxic waste into the mangrove system over the years. Those chemicals stay there and don't break down easily. Farmers and council too have been using toxic chemicals doing the same. All these chemicals leave a toxic chemical footprint that can be traced back to point of origin if they choose to find the polluters. In most cases they all ready know who they are but choose not to take action and be held accountable. Toxic chemical dumps occur in our creeks on a regular basis every year the those responsible just get away with it. The damage has taken its toll and there is no quick fix anymore.

            Our Waterways Have Decades Of Pollution In Them And A Lot Washes Out To Sea Everyday
Just copy and paste these video links into your browser to see what's happening in our town of Coffs Harbour.

http://youtu.be/s2K3H7N7cos
http://youtu.be/QwuLn3wJsEo
http://youtu.be/_md9xb8BTe0
http://youtu.be/GT2g4IeR7bI
http://youtu.be/So-xnSVqExU
http://youtu.be/VpZpVIPV_xg
http://youtu.be/gf3MlN837zo
http://youtu.be/y4M3UC1ZZNE
http://youtu.be/gh6NsD_lY-E
http://youtu.be/mn1rmKhGMLg
http://youtu.be/5zu4bn3m9fk
http://youtu.be/9fK5wb7YIRM
http://youtu.be/ZoBXzxdyT8I
Pollution In Coffs Harbour

Pollution in Coffs Harbour has created a broken link in our eco system and caused up to 80% of our wildlife species to reduce in numbers. I've created a series of videos all made in Coffs Harbour showing the extent of street and waterways pollution around the town. Things most people won't notice though is the reduction of so many species from insects, birds, reptiles and water life all affected by constant ongoing rubbish and chemical pollution.

In the last 6 years alone I've noticed a steady decrease in wildlife around our creek walks and bushland areas. Less birds like
Kingfishers, Bower Birds, Pelicans, Spoonbills and even the many more common species like Kookaburras and many other species I don't even know the names of but can rarely be seen these days.
The once familiar water dragon lizards, turtles and snakes are also well into decline. Butterflies and many other insects are all on the decrease as well.

The whole eco system food cycle has been broken down by the constant effects of pollution depriving wildlife dependant on that existence. No one seems to care anymore these days as they rarely get out and see what's happening. So this is why I've produced the videos. You can also find many nature videos on YouTube by typing in "Coffs Harbour Tourism". Unfortunately its getting harder now to make any videos of the nature in this area now as so much has just disappeared.

I walk many kilometres a day around the town walks and bush areas everyday filming and the decrease in species is alarmingly visible now. Unfortunately we have a local council that takes no interest in reducing this major environmental disaster for this area. There are many low cost things that could be implemented but they've chosen to do nothing all these years and to just to bury their heads in the sand and ignore what's happening. Its obvious they don't have the best interests of this town at heart at all.


More environmental videos can be found by clicking on "Youtube Videos" at the top of the Index.
Town Pollution Issues

Coffs Harbour has major issues concerning pollution and the destruction of its eco system.
A supermarket trolley almost rusted away near the Greenhouse Tavern. A common view in our creeks and yet council still does nothing.
Many species of introduced waterweed is choking the life out of our creeks. Local councils need to act. These samples were photographed near the Greenhouse Tavern in Coffs Harbour.
Introduced Waterweed A Big Issue That No One Is Tackling
Local News & Information
Coffs Harbour
You'll find me reporting on many more related pollution issues facing our town throughout this website. I'd rather spend my time making nature videos but people need to see what damage is being done to our local environment and the fact that our local council just stands by and contributes toward this issue more than anyone.

Local people are also a problem just throwing their takeaway rubbish containers on our streets which all end up in the waterways everntually causing even more pollution.

Our local council will do whatever it takes to hide from this pollution issue and doesn't want people to see what's really happening around our town.  They continue to cover up pollution spills and don't inform the public of major events concerning their safety. Its not right but no one knows any better unless they find out from somewhere. So I'm reporting the truth with as much evidence as I can gather every time be it from interviews, photos or videos. I'd rather spoend my time doing better things but no one else will do what I'm doing.
RSS Feed
Pollution Conspiracy Video Evidence - Coffs Harbour
Some photos showing the nature of the pollution and areas that should have been closed down but instead were left open to the public placing them at high risk. No one was informed in our town about the sewage and toxic chemicals only so the BCU Triathlon event could still be staged. It was huge cover-up from the public in Coffs Harbour and those responsible in Coffs Harbour City Council need to be brought to justice to pay for these extensive crimes.
Coffs Online
Reducing Rubbish Pollution In Our Waterways
The following is just a guide for what could be adapted around our town.
Too many people disrespect our town and just throw and leave rubbish everywhere.
A rubbish flow zone next to the Coffs Creek bridge in the centre of town. A simple wire mesh fence would stop this rubbish from flowing into the creek and then into the sea.

The council just sits back and lets it happen for decades like this. I made contact with the council over this and the environmental officer stated that the council isn't prepared to do the follow up cleaning around those fencing areas if they were to be put into place.

Hard to believe a council in a city like this could be so backward in their operations but this is what we must deal with in Coffs Harbour. Hopefully one day they'll follow through and place wire mesh guard fences along the main flow zone areas to stop and reduce the rubbish flowing into our creeks and into the sea.

Its mainly needed along creek bridges where people walk past the most. But the rubbish flow zones can easily be detected by the clear signs of rubbish flowing down the creek banks in each area. Mesh fence barriers need to be placed in those areas to reduce rubbish in waterways.
Rubbish Flow Zones
Coffs Creek Bridge Rubbish Flow Zone

On The Highway. The other side of the bridge over the road has the same issues.There needs to be a mesh fence collector closer to the bottom near the creek as people just throw rubbish over the fence near the footpath.
Coffs Creek Tributary Rubbish Flow Zone On The Highway.
A section of wire fence mesh and some star posts placed along these rubbish flow zones would reduce much of these rubbish issues around Coffs Harbour. The council would only need to service those areas say once per month. They could even use Work For The Dole people to manage it. The rubbish flow zones are created in some areas just by the wind and rain regularly forcing rubbish down embankments into the water. Its just a matter of putting a mesh guard fence in those areas and maintaining them.

Our creeks are full with floating plastics, cans and bottles that all wash into the creeks at regular times. Blocking off those rubbish flow zones will reduce at least some of this rubbish.  There are also some narrow sections of the Coffs Creek where say a mesh fence gate could be placed to stop rubbish from traveling further down stream. Again if cleaned just once per month with a net it would reduce at least some of this rubbish issue. Just a simple farm gate with smaller wire mesh attached to it and a couple of star posts would do the job.
50 mm Square wire mesh like above could be attached to these gates for across and in some narrow sections of the Coffs Creek to stop and hold back rubbish. They just need to be serviced say once per month. The total cost of the unit even if it had to be replaced by occasional flood damage is minimal as you can see. A very low cost investment for keeping the waterways a little cleaner.

The wire mesh with some star droppers could be placed along the known rubbish flow zones to block the rubbish from flowing into the water ways. The total cost to do most of the area around the town would be very low and most likely less than $3,000.00 all up.

Areas to do initially would be along the main highway where most bridges are. Near Takeaway Food Areas. A combination of mesh plus wire farm gates and mesh on its own would act as a guard in some of the main areas around town that attracts the rubbish. Then drains that run into the Coffs Creek would also need some mesh fencing placed there as well. Serviced around once per month or less as required. The gates could be slightly raised if required to let fish through if that's a concern. Most of the plastics float and stay near the top.
Sections of mesh guards like this along rubbish flow zones and drains. Mesh in rolls or heavier in sheet sections could be used. 50mm square. The sheet steel is more expensive but of a heavier gauge. The roll wire is of best value for doing larger sections with steel posts. This same wire is also attached to the gates as they come from the store. Use fence staples to attach the wire mesh to the main gate in fills.
Nets with extension handles can pick the rubbish out of the water in front of the traps.
Carrall's Creek Sample Video Of Rubbish In Our Creeks
Just copy and paste these video links into your browser to see what's happening in our town of Coffs Harbour.

http://youtu.be/s2K3H7N7cos
http://youtu.be/QwuLn3wJsEo
http://youtu.be/_md9xb8BTe0
http://youtu.be/GT2g4IeR7bI
http://youtu.be/So-xnSVqExU
http://youtu.be/VpZpVIPV_xg
http://youtu.be/gf3MlN837zo
http://youtu.be/y4M3UC1ZZNE
http://youtu.be/gh6NsD_lY-E
http://youtu.be/mn1rmKhGMLg
http://youtu.be/5zu4bn3m9fk
http://youtu.be/9fK5wb7YIRM
http://youtu.be/ZoBXzxdyT8I



You can't see these things from a chair, in your car or from a work place.
You need to go on foot and see these areas for yourself and then you need to actually look at the issues. Many people just choose to walk past without actually looking. Its not always everywhere and rubbish collects in specific tidal current areas and in areas where people may frequent the most. Wind, rain, weather, tides can all effect the flow of rubbish. Low tides is a good time to to see where a lot of the rubbish settles. But is doesn't always tell you where it all comes from.
In most cases its a combination of areas from a series of rubbish flow zones as explained above. Reduce the flow line rubbish and you reduce the rubbish in the water ways.
     Areas In Coffs Harbour Where To Place Mesh Wire Fence Guards

Along the Pacific Highway at: Coffs Creek Tributary Flow Zones on the west side on both sides of that bridge ,
Coffs Creek Bridge on both sides of the highway being west and east sides. Its very visible in all these locations where the rubbish flows down into the water. Place the guards as close as possible near the water so people don't just throw rubbish over the top of them so easily.

On the corner of Orlando Street and Pacific Highway on the east side corner. A fence all the way along the creek edge side.

On the north side of the Coffs Creek just up from the Promenade. This is mainly a wind rubbish flow zone area and its on  a steep incline down but lots of rubbish makes it down into the creek from there too.

A section of the Coffs Creek behind the swimming pool east of the walk bridge where homeless people frequently throw rubbish down the embankment which makes its way into the creek.

     Areas In Coffs Harbour Where to Place Mesh Gates Into The Creek

In a narrow accessible section of the Carrall's Creek before its gets to the open walkway section so it needs to be somewhere on the north side of Carrall's Creek. A gate across that will stop the garbage from floating beyond that area. Perhaps somewhere where the road goes along to the Seedbank area.

A narrow section gate somewhere near Orlando Street in the creek. Its easier perhaps to collect on the narrow sections rather than on the wide open sections.

A large gate somewhere behind the Clog Barn where the creek flows back leaving masses of rubbish. Two or three gates may be required out the back there as I haven't investigated all the source directions but the rubbish is very visible in masses. So its just a matter of following it back to find the most suitable location/s.

Behind the show grounds on the north side there are mangrove areas that has become a natural collection area if you trace the water course back you'll find the best place to put the mesh gate. The idea being to make it an easier collection area rather than have the rubbish scattered over a massive area. Or along a whole creek bank section.

Along the walking track north roughly behind the Commercial Laundry which must be off one of the back streets off Orlando Street about a half a kilometre past the council depot, you'll see a massive rubbish build up so its a matter of tracing back to the most suitable location to place the gate in the water for rubbish collection purposes.

Along Scarba Street there are sections of the creek blocked off by tree matter in the creeks where rubbish builds up. A gate in the creek in the most suitable narrow section would be a good place to collect somewhere from there.

Along Bray Street there are some obvious places where mesh gates could also be placed to reduce rubbish travel.

Behind the Park Beach Shopping Complex some mesh barriers place in and along the creek there would also make a difference.

Once mesh gates are in place in these areas then it would be worth sending in some workers to clean up what's already deposited in these areas to make them as clean as possible then collections after that can take place from the mesh gate filters that are in place.

More filter mesh gates or wire and posts could be placed in random sections of the creek and its tributaries to further reduce the travel of rubbish into the broader main creek areas.

It would also be good to finally have all the old supermarket trolleys pulled out of the creek. Some are buried layers deep like at the Coffs Creek Bridge on the Pacific Highway.

Placing the mesh gates and and wire fence barriers before it all gets into the main Coffs Creek is the goal.

Other upper reach areas of the small creeks to the east of town could also do with some rubbish traps as well. Follow the home estate areas and creeks will lead you to the rubbish build up areas.

No doubt I haven't covered every area but I think you get the idea of what the concept is and that's to stop the supply of rubbish before it gets too far and out of hand. If its not stopped in ways like this then it eventually flows into the greater Coffs Creek and then out to sea.
Break down may occur of some rubbish within the creek system building up massive toxins that all build up over time destroying our local Eco system. I've been filming wildlife in Coffs Harbour for the last nine years and there's been a steady decline in many bird species, water dragons and many other species. Right down to spiders and insects which is probably the most alarming fact of all. If you film most days of the week all around town you notice these things and when things starting disappearing you soon take notice there's some major problems with the enivironment and base eco system .
Coffs Creek Bridge east side people throw rubbish over the fence. A simple mesh fence placed at least three quarters of the away from this fence towards the creek would trap all that rubbish for collection.
When it rains in Coffs Harbour all the rubbish collected along the creek easements, from drains and from Rubbish flow zones all ends up in the creeks. The bulk comes from all the little tributaries scattered all around our streets.  By putting some mesh gates and mesh fences in the areas to catch that rubbish it stops and reduces the flow into the main Coffs Creek. This section of creek is off Orlando Street and carry lots of rubbish over time. A lot of rubbish blows in here as well as its a favorite dumping spot for rubbish being so close to all the take away food stores. Some of the road drains also deposit material in the creek here as well. This creek travels along and past the back of the Clog Barn and Hotel and rubbish can be found in large quantities there that's been back washed during heavy rain and tide times.  The reserve area is always covered in rubbish. Picking up rubbish before mowing each time would help a lot too.
Behind the Clog Barn.
Back flow rubbish near the Midway Hotel on the highway.
East side of the highway Coffs Tributary Creek. The other side of the highway is much, much worse. 
This is a backflow rubbish dump area behind the Laundry area. Hard to see but there's probably a ton or more of rubbish here at present. Even old bedding. No doubt there's a lot buried there too as its hard to get too.
Rubbish barriers like this along rubbish flow lines is sure to stop a lot of physical rubbish over the years. Replacement cost is low and easy to replace and repair if need be. Yes it has to be serviced at say monthly intervals. It would be advisable to place the mesh barriers at the lower end of each flow zone just in case people throw rubbish over the top. This way you gain the best chance of collecting a larger percentage. Always try and keep the mesh guards further from people rather than closer as they'll just throw rubbish over them otherwise. That's human nature I'm afraid. If council has access to secondhand school fences they would also make more durable mesh fence barriers as well.

Many creek reserve areas where people pass will usually become rubbish collection points and placing Mesh Fence Barriers long the main sections well back from the public will combat some of this issue. Its not a solution but its a control. Obviously if people did the right thing and take away food places offered more in house eating instead of providing rubbish to throw away it would also be reduced. But I don't think that will change overnight.

The biggest issue for council is to maintain these areas and fortunately most of these places are along the highway and in some of the more popular streets. Some rubbish flow zones barely have people pass at all but natural wind and weather conditions force rubbish from a distance to these areas. Walking along those creeks areas will soon reveal those areas by the rubbish levels there.
Placing mesh barriers in some of these areas may only need servicing once every few months but it would make a huge difference over time by combating physical rubbish from being in our waterways. A good place to see much of this rubbish close to council offices is at The Carrall's Walk Bridge at low tide.  Just stand there for while and let your eyes adjust to looking and you'll be surprised at how much rubbish can be seen just in this one place. Plastics, bags, bottles, cans, wrappers can all be seen. A lot under the actual walkway near the start of the walkway as well where it becomes trapped at low tide.

The flow of rubbish into the creeks needs to be reduced otherwise the creek rubbish amount just never reduces. Some decompose causing toxic a build up over the decades affecting wildlife and the overall Eco system. Other items may stay there for hundreds to thousands of years.
Decades of inaction over pollution in Coffs Harbour has indeed taken its toll on our environment. Many of the pollution deposit areas where decades of rubbish has been deposited are most likely equivalent now to toxic waste dumps as the level of decomposed material makes it way into the sub soil material in the mangroves.  After years of decomposing these items are consumed by wildlife in all manner of ways slowly taking its toll on them from causing disease, breeding issues and death to many species reliant on one and other. Everyone is responsible for this because unless people speak out and take action nothing ever changes.

As just one person I try and make a difference in an extremely difficult situation dealing with a town council that has itself many issues that should be investigated as to why these things have never been put into place many years ago.  Its in the interest of tourism, the environment and for the people of the city and yet they can't find a few thousand dollars to implement these very basic plans I've outlined above to at least make a small difference to the rubbish quantities entering our waterways. I'm not saying it will solve all pollution issues but I'm sure it would at least reduce physical rubbish from that standpoint.

You're collecting up to one million per year on environmental rates and councillors could allocate funds from this plus a maintenance percentage for regular checks and repairs over time.  Its only a very small cost that could produce a huge reduction in physical rubbish over the years. What are you waiting for Coffs Harbour City Council?
Cost $130.00 each. 25nb frame x 1160mm x 4200mm with mesh. For placement in narrow sections of the creek to collect rubbish before it travels further.
Cost $107.00 each. 25nb frame x 1160mm x 3600mm with mesh.
25nb frame farm gates x 1160mm high x 1800mm width with mesh.$70. each. These could be used in some of the real narrow sections like near the Greenhouse Tavern.
Star Posts around $10 each for heavy duty ones.
Gates could be hinged with wire loops if you want them to swing open.
These harmless looking drains carry rubbish into the waterways everytime it rains.
A simple mesh trap in these drains which are located on both sides of the main Coffs Creek could stop a lot of rubbish over time from polluting the waterways. They all seem harmless when dry but when we get rain its usually a lot and any rubbish that ends up in these drains and those off the streets ends up washing through there as well.  If they were to line the bottom of the wire with some old bricks or secondhand pavers it would be easier to manage regular cleaning otherwise some may get over grown with grass. Once all these measures are in all place they most likely only have to be serviced once per month or less. Someone walking with a wheely bin or large plastic collection bag can just do the occasional clean up.