Shellharbour City Council and Wollongong City Council are working together to reduce and prevent litter around Lake Illawarra as part of the Luv the Lake program.

The program is funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and will provide Shellharbour and Wollongong Councils with $75,000 each.

Lake Illawarra is a significant natural resource within the region and is immensely valuable from an ecological, social, cultural, and economic perspective. Litter has been identified as a high-level threat to the lake and the Luv the Lake initiative aims to address this.

The program will implement effective litter prevention across Lake Illawarra as part of the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program through community education and events, enforcement and regulation, monitoring and evaluation and infrastructure improvement. 

It has been designed to increase community pride, respect and ownership of the lake and its surroundings. 

Luv the Lake will be delivered over 12 months from July 2022 to July 2023.

Although the campaign will cover the entire Lake Illawarra Foreshore, six hotspot sites have been identified across the Shellharbour and Wollongong Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Shellharbour LGA hotspots:

•  Reddall Reserve
• Picnic Island
• Ski Way Park

Wollongong LGA hotspots:

•  Kully Bay and surrounding parkland
• Kanahooka Beach and surrounding parkland
• Hooka Park/Fred Finch Park

Shellharbour City Council Mayor Chris Homer said the funding from the EPA Council Litter Prevention program was a valuable resource to assist with looking after the Lake Illawarra foreshore.

“Lake Illawarra is one of the area’s most beautiful natural assets and Council’s is committed to ensuring is remains a safe, clean area for everyone to enjoy,” Mayor Homer said.

“The Luv the Lake campaign is a great way for us to implement new monitoring and regulation to assist the beautification of our stunning lake.

Collaborating with Wollongong City Council ensures that we have a comprehensive approach,” Mayor Homer said.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that Wollongong was committed to protecting and maintaining Lake Illawarra so that current and future residents could continue to enjoy the significant natural resource. 

“We all have a responsibility when it comes to managing our environment in a respectful and considerate way. Litter prevention is one way we can all help make a difference to the environmental health of Lake Illawarra and surrounding areas,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Thanks to the funding provided by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority, we now have the resources to work closely and collaborate with Shellharbour Council to deliver anti-littering education and enforcement programs, install new infrastructure, and target known hotspot sites,” he said.

Environment Protection Authority Executive Director (Engagement Education and Programs), Liesbet Spanjaard said the EPA was proud to support Council’s innovative project that targets a popular local spot enjoyed by residents and visitors.   

“Everyone has a role to play in reducing litter in their community and we’re investing in projects that can make a real difference to communities across NSW,” Mr Spanjaard said. 

“Luv the Lake is a fantastic example of collaborative local action that will drive behaviour change through practical solutions. The community can show their support by following the new signage, using the bins and attending the fantastic events being put on by both councils. We look forward to hearing about the outcomes and seeing less litter around Lake Illawarra.” Mr Spanjaard said.

This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority, Waste Less Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/waste-le...

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008