City Scene - August 2001: Spring clean coming up

August 2001

Two 'firsts' for elections

Community Plans 2001

Scott's Link with the gardens to be remembered

Free Council parking in Central City

Council in running for top prize

Neighbourhood competitions to be held for special week

Spring clean coming up

An empty Peacock Fountain in the Botanic Gardens

This is a rare sight of the Peacock Fountain in the Botanic Gardens. The fountain was emptied so repairs could be carried out to concrete work around the top of the filter inlet. At the same time the annual inspection of pipe work and concrete work on the fountain’s floor was carried out.

More than 30 groups of volunteers have offered to help clean up Christchurch during its annual spring clean in September.

And with this year being the Year of Volunteers, organisers are hoping that even more people will take part than previously.

The week-long clean up will get under way on 17 September. it will involve individuals, groups, schools and businesses picking a site in their local area and cleaning it up.

Co-ordinated by Keep Christchurch Beautiful, Christchurch City Council and Marine Watch, the event relies on community support and involvement.

Marine Watch spokesperson Jim Lilley says the groups that have registered reflect the range of clean-up jobs that need doing.

"We’ve received plenty of suggestions about sites to clean. Groups will be cleaning up parks, schools, streets, waterways and carparks. Some groups are cleaning off graffiti and others removing rubbish from roadsides.

"Some clean-ups are an hour long, others a day and some are organised for the entire week," he says.

While some groups already have specific sites in mind, Jim says a list of sites that need cleaning up is available if anyone needs ideas. The Council is supplying gloves and rubbish bags.

Hire A Hubby will be helping remove the rubbish collected.

Christchurch’s annual spring-clean is part of the global "Clean Up The World" campaign, an annual event held in conjunction with the United Nations Environment programme. The event mobilises millions of volunteers in more than 100 countries to undertake a wide range of environmental issues.

First held in 1993, "Clean Up The World" aims to reduce the 650 billion tonnes of waste produced by the world’s cities each year. The long-term goal is to reduce waste by changing attitudes and behaviour.

For more information about how to get involved: Keep Christchurch Beautiful Co-ordinator, Ingrid LeFevre, phone 941 8832.