Cleaning up Cairns to keep waterways litter-free

Published: 18th September 2026. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Over 100 people (and dogs) have joined clean-ups across Cairns so far this month, with more than 250kg of rubbish collected from in and around Woodward Park and the Saltwater Water creek channel - Everything from cigarette butts to shopping trolleys!

A further  60kg of debris was cleared from the banks of Freshwater Creek at Glenoma Park last weekend.

September is Clean Up Cairns month. Council has partnered with Clean Up Australia, local Indigenous ranger groups and local community groups to encourage everyone to help keep our future clean.

Clean Ups continue throughout September. Join a project near you and help remove litter from our waterways, improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life.

  • Saturday 19 September – Rotary Park/Babinda Creek, Babinda
  • Sunday 20 September – Cairns CBD
  • Saturday 26 September – Moody Creek, Manoora
  • Saturday 26 September – Yorkeys Knob beach
  • Sunday 27 September – Lily Creek, Cairns

Volunteers should wear enclosed footwear, bring sun protection and drinking water. Clean-up kits and gloves will be provided.

Visit our Clean Up Cairns webpage for details.

Last Updated: 18 September 2026

Latest News > All News

Cleaning up Cairns to keep waterways litter-free

Over 100 people have joined clean-ups across Cairns so far this September. Join a project near you this weekend and...

General Updates
18 September 2026

Our trainees share why you should apply

With no one better placed to provide insight than our current trainees and apprentices, we asked members of the cohort...

General Updates
16 September 2026

Barlow Park stadium upgrade works to begin

Barlow Park will close temporarily from 21 September to allow early works to begin on the major upgrade, creating a...

Sport & Recreation
15 September 2026