Surf Coast community urged to join Clean Up Australia Day 2026

Published on 03 February 2026

Surf Coast Shire Council is calling on residents, schools, community groups and local organisations to register now and take part in Clean Up Australia Day 2026 on Sunday 1 March 2026.

Clean Up Australia Day is the nation’s largest community based environmental event, bringing together thousands of volunteers across the country to help remove litter and protect local environments.

Council is encouraging the Surf Coast Shire community to either join an existing clean-up site or organise their own event in their neighbourhood, local park, beach, bushland or waterway.

Cr Phoebe Crockett said Clean Up Australia Day is an easy way for the community to make a visible difference.

“Clean Up Australia Day shows what we can achieve when we all pitch in together,” said Cr Crockett.

“It’s not just about picking up litter, it’s about caring for the places we live, play and love.”

“It’s great opportunity for our kids to get involved and build lifelong habits that help protect our environment.”

To support volunteers, litter collected from registered Clean Up Australia Day sites in Surf Coast Shire will be accepted free of charge at Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations.

When you register your clean-up site, all volunteers will receive a free clean up kit containing gloves and bags and other resources from Clean Up Australia.

Register your clean-up site or join an already registered clean-up site at register.cleanup.org.au

Cr Crockett said this event also sparks important conversations about making long term changes to reduce waste and prevent littering in the first place.

“Clean Up Australia Day is one day where everyone comes out to clean up together. It highlights how much waste we produce and is a reminder we can get in the habit of picking up litter in our neighbourhood, every day,” said Cr Crockett.

Clean Up Australia provides resources, safety guidelines and promotional materials to make organising a site easy and safe.

To arrange for free disposal of litter collected, please contact Council before Thursday 26 February. Find out more at  surfcoast.vic.gov.au/CleanUpAustralia2026