ON a glorious sunny day, the Myall River at Tea Gardens glistens but what lies beneath the surface?

Well, we’ll soon find out when an underwater clean up takes place next month.

“When MidCoast Council carried out a survey of the sea bed ahead of the new wharf being built this year, they discovered all sorts of things have been dumped in the river from shopping trolleys to old bicycles,” Myall River Action Group’s Gordon Grainger said.

Salvage diver Suzanne Fieberg, who carried out the original survey, will be back with a dive buddy to scour the river bottom from the Ogden Street ramp to the Singing Bridge on Wednesday 21 June.

Of particular emphasis will be the stretch of river near the hotel.

Months in the planning, the operation has turned into a community project.

The Environmental Division of the Council has come up with 50% of the dive cost, the local Lions Club has put in another $500 dollars and the CTC has come to the party with the remaining $100 needed to make it happen.

The Council Garbage sector has agreed to waive the tip fees.

A number of local boat owners have offered their services for free along with the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Club.

“As this is a first of its kind for our area, we intend to make it a little more memorable than just collecting a pile of junk,” Gordon said.

“Suzanne is bringing members of her dive group who will also look for sunken treasures, who knows what they’ll find.”

After the dive there’ll be a thank you barbecue on the Marine Drive Foreshore.

So come along on the morning of Wednesday 21 June, lend a hand and enjoy the benefits of having a pristine river.

 

By Margie TIERNEY