Lachlan’s letter puts a lid on litter

While most five year olds don’t take tidiness too seriously, Tewantin youngster Lachlan Ward is very much the exception.

Fed up with the litter that was regularly left lying in his local park, Lachlan wrote a letter requesting a litter bin be installed to remedy the problem – and he sent it straight to the Mayor!

Sunshine Coast Council responded by assessing the area and installing a litter bin adjacent to the park’s playground. A decision was also made to award Lachlan with an official ‘Litter Champion’ certificate.

The Sunshine Beach State School student said he was proud as punch to have helped clean up his local neighbourhood.

"Cranks Creek Park is my favourite place to play near my home but I didn’t like seeing the litter that was left there," he said.

"Now there’s a bin there so people can put their rubbish away instead of dropping it on the ground."

Sunshine Coast Council Litter Management Officer Tara Kingsbury said Lachlan was a credit to the Sunshine Coast.

"It’s fantastic to see that even at such a young age, Lachlan cares a great deal about the look and feel of his local area," he said.

"Congratulations to Lachlan on becoming an official 'Litter Champion’; it is proactive community members like him who really do help keep the Sunshine Coast a clean and healthy place.

"Litter not only looks unsightly, it also damages our environment causing injury and death of animals and marine wildlife.

"Litter management costs council approximately $3.5 million per year and some litter can be hazardous including glass, cigarette butts and dog poo."

If you know of an area with a litter problem call council’s customer service centre on 54757272.

\* Photos and copies of Lachlan's letter are available on request