To help keep Cardinia Shire clean, green and litter‑free, Cardinia Shire Council is encouraging the community to take part in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 1 March.
Gather your friends, family and neighbours to get involved and help clean up your local area. Schools can also join the effort with Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 27 February 2026.
For 36 years, Clean Up Australia Day has been bringing people together to remove litter, clean up local communities and protect local parks, reserves, creeks and neighbourhoods.
Community members, schools and businesses can register by:
-nominating their own local clean-up site, or
-joining one of the pre‑registered sites listed on the Clean Up Australia website.
Once registered, volunteers receive a free clean-up kit, including bags, gloves and safety information.
To make it easy for everyone to participate, the council can assist with the collection and disposal of the rubbish cleaned up on the day.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen said the event is an opportunity for the whole community to make a meaningful and visible difference.
“Clean Up Australia Day is a simple way we can all chip in to protect the places we love and call home. When we work together, we can make a huge impact in just a few hours. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and make 2026 our cleanest year yet!”
Volunteers can also be rewarded for their participation through the Container Deposit Scheme. Every can, carton or bottle collected and returned to any refund collection point is eligible for a 10-cent refund.
“If you want to get involved but are unable to help us out on 1 March. You can organise a Clean Up for any day of the year by simply registering your ‘clean up’ site and notifying Council to have the litter collected and disposed of after your event.” Mayor Owen said.
To register for Clean Up Australia Day and for more information, go to www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au
