Redcliffe local Ian Sutherland has been combing Scarborough's beaches since 2012.
The Rotarian has been proactively picking up litter on these beaches since 2015.
Ian and fellow club member, Colin Scobie audited the daily litter for July 2023 using a 'Comprehensive Data Collection Sheet' provided by Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
Ian collected 12kg of beach litter across 12 categories.
The Citizen Scientists were able to enumerate their find for the following categories: plastic (consumer, packaging, bait and tackle, industrial, commercial and shipping); foamed plastic (Polystyrene); glass and ceramic; cloth and metal; paper and cardboard; rubber and wood items. Taking steps to make a difference. the redcliffe peninsula. 13 February 2024.
Tangaroa Blue Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on reducing marine debris. About Tangaroa Blue Foundation.
A wide variety of man-made objects can become marine debris. Eighty percent of marine debris is plastic. Marine debris. Wikipedia.
Ian Sutherland and Colin Scobie audited the daily litter for July 2024, 12 months on from the first audit.
Ian collected 13kg of beach litter comprising 853 items, an increase of 1kg from the earlier audit.
Colin met with City of Moreton Bay Councillors: Cath Tonks (Healthy Environments Portfolio), Sandra Ruck (Division 5) and Karl Winchester (Division 6) on 16 October 2024.
He shared the Summary Report with them.
Colin and the Councillors discussed ways to reduce litter on Redcliffe's north-eastern beaches.
They agreed to fund an awareness campaign to encourage beach goers to reduce the amount of litter finding its way onto Scarborough, Queens Beach North and Queens Beach.
The first step to solving a problem is learning more about it. Check out our educational resources to help stewards of all ages learn more about the problem of marine debris.
Rotary members engage with community and share educational resources to help 'stewards of all ages' learn more about the impacts of marine debris.
Signs are placed on each beach, nine in total, one sign at either end and one in the middle.
Colin confirmed that a daily audit would be undertaken for the three-month period from approx May to the end of Aug and details recorded using the Tangaroa Blue Foundation data collection sheets.
Colin confirmed that a daily audit would be undertaken for the three-month period from approx May to the end of Aug and details recorded using the Tangaroa Blue Foundation data collection sheets.
The 2025 audit will help determine whether the awareness campaign was effective.
Colin Scobie is the current Eco-Chair of ESRAG Oceania. About ESRAG Oceania.
"Tangaroa Blue Foundation works to prevent and remove marine debris. The Australian registered charity wants to inspire action and empower people, organisations, businesses and governments to make data driven decisions to improve systems, processes and behaviours to stop the flow of litter at its source." About Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative.
"Landcare Australia’s Coastcare program supports a community volunteer network of groups and individuals made up of Australians who care passionately about the protection and management of our coastal and marine environments. Coastcare volunteers and groups identify local environmental problems and work together with government, local businesses, First Nations organisations, youth groups, schools and community groups to achieve practical and sustainable solutions." About Coastcare.
The article in Moreton Daily about Adopt Humpybong Creek - click here and the Redcliffe Museum recent display feature is listed here - click here
References: for the NSW "Don't be a Tosser Campaign" and Take 3 for the Sea and Keep Scotland Beautiful and Its Your Neighbourhood and Keep New Zealand Beautiful
We welcome input and feedback here via this click link
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Report to Council Marine Debris Collection – July 2025 Update
Background
The annual collection of marine debris from three local beaches, led by Rotarian Ian Sutherland, continues to provide valuable insights into the state of our coastal environment. Mr. Sutherland, recognised as our local environmental champion, has consistently conducted this work, which has been acknowledged in community media such as Moreton Daily (see QR code attached).
The annual collection of marine debris from three local beaches, led by Rotarian Ian Sutherland, continues to provide valuable insights into the state of our coastal environment. Mr. Sutherland, recognised as our local environmental champion, has consistently conducted this work, which has been acknowledged in community media such as Moreton Daily (see QR code attached).
Previous Findings (2023–2024)
In the July 2024 collection, an increase in the weight of debris was recorded compared with 2023. This finding was reported to Council and subsequently discussed in a meeting with Cr Tonks, Cr Ruck, and Cr Winchester. Following that meeting, a grant was allocated to support signage initiatives, and discussions highlighted the relevance of the NSW “Don’t Be a Tosser” campaign as a potential model for community education.
In the July 2024 collection, an increase in the weight of debris was recorded compared with 2023. This finding was reported to Council and subsequently discussed in a meeting with Cr Tonks, Cr Ruck, and Cr Winchester. Following that meeting, a grant was allocated to support signage initiatives, and discussions highlighted the relevance of the NSW “Don’t Be a Tosser” campaign as a potential model for community education.
Current Results (2024–2025)
The July 2025 collection has demonstrated encouraging results:
The July 2025 collection has demonstrated encouraging results:
- Total weight of debris: decreased from 12.5 kg (2024) to 11.1 kg (2025).
- Total items collected: reduced significantly from 853 items (2024) to 281 items (2025) across 12 categories, as recorded using the Tangaroa Blue AMDI data collection system.
Community Impact
Ian Sutherland reports noticeable community participation, with more people—particularly children—involved in collecting debris. The installation of signage is credited with raising awareness. As Mr. Sutherland observed:
Ian Sutherland reports noticeable community participation, with more people—particularly children—involved in collecting debris. The installation of signage is credited with raising awareness. As Mr. Sutherland observed:
“I have noticed more folk collecting debris and the signage has increased awareness. Most probably it is children who are telling their parents that other marine animals live in this high biodiversity intertidal zone where the sea interfaces between the ocean and terrestrial habitat.”
Conclusion
The positive results from the July 2025 marine debris collection demonstrate that community awareness initiatives and Council-supported signage are having a measurable effect. Continued support of these activities is recommended to sustain and build upon these improvements
The positive results from the July 2025 marine debris collection demonstrate that community awareness initiatives and Council-supported signage are having a measurable effect. Continued support of these activities is recommended to sustain and build upon these improvements
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