Our waterways – the rubbish tip of the urban jungle?
Rubbish floating in the mangroves on the Brisbane River
Earlier this week, I found myself wandering along the banks of the Brisbane River. It was a pleasantly warm spring day and there were families out enjoying everything that South Bank has to offer – the pools, the grassy picnic areas and the cycle ways that run through the whole area. There’s no doubt in my mind that the development of South Bank has been a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community. It was great to see so many people getting out and being healthy and active.
It’s a different story on the other side of the river. The Goodwill Bridge links the most eastern edge of South Bank to QUT Gardens Point campus and is for pedestrian and cyclist access only. The majority of people would probably follow the signs towards the city, the Botanic Gardens nearby or the university campus itself. I wonder how many choose to walk along the river itself, unless they needed to catch the ferry at Gardens Point.
The access to the ferry landing is a complete contrast to the one on the opposite side of the river. It is a narrow walkway, shared by pedestrians and cyclists which takes people underneath the Riverside Expressway. It is dark and dingy, although blessedly cool in the heat of the day. The smell hits you as soon as you round the corner. Mangroves smell at the best of times but I was unprepared for the stench of rotting food and dairy products left behind by people too careless to make sure their trash goes in the bin. Lolly packets, leftover MacDonalds meals, water bottles and old milk containers have all made their way into the mangroves. Having almost been hit by a flying Coke can thrown out of a passing motorist’s window from the above Expressway, I get the distinct impression that it is not an unusual event.
Despite ongoing education of the public about improving the health of our waterways, it seems it is falling on deaf ears. For the past two years (based on 2007 results), the Lower Brisbane water catchment has consistently scored the lowest rating available in terms of river health. This is despite some clear improvements in other regions of the state. I am sure the answer lies within education and increasing awareness of how improvements in the quality of our waterways can in turn impact positively upon human health.
Please do the right thing by our waterways and the environment in general. Throw your rubbish in the bin and if you’re travelling, keep a plastic bag in the car for your waste and dispose of it properly at your destination. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. It is the small things we can do which can contribute to changing attitudes and behaviours, therefore improving the quality of our environment and subsequently our lives as well.
2007 Results of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program
September 30th, 2008 | Category: Ramblings
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