The recent community clean up of the Cardrona River bank near Wastebusters resulted in a massive tonne of rubbish being collected in under two hours.

More than 50 volunteers turned up during National Volunteer Week for the event, which Wai Wānaka organised in partnership with Love Wānaka and Wastebusters.

“Our river clean-up was along the Cardrona River below the bridge off Ballantyne Road – an area of the river that is often overlooked and could use some love,” Wai Wānaka communications and educator Jaylene Harper told the Wānaka App.

“Together in under two hours we collected over one tonne (1,000 kgs) of rubbish from the area, some of which was part of a litter audit that is input into the national ‘Litter Intelligence’ programme.

“We were blown away by the support and how much we managed to collect in under two hours. There are still a lot of big items out there to collect in the future, that’s for sure.”

Wai Wānaka said the group was “blown away” by the support.

Local businesses Wānaka Civil and Interlink Ltd brought trailers to the event and collected large items, transporting everything to landfill that couldn’t be recycled. Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka held a burger and sausage sizzle with the proceeds going to WAI Wānaka.

After the clean-up the group gathered for afternoon tea and contributed to a ‘vision board’ of what they would like to see developed in the area.

Ideas included native planting above the river (where broom and gorse currently grow), walking tracks, bird habitats, and an art mural under the bridge.

Jaylene said the volunteers were a diverse group, from families to retirees to businesses - many of which lived or worked nearby, or walked their dog there.

“I live in Wānaka and feel very passionate about this place and this is a section of the Cardrona River that has been neglected for some time, so it’s really valuable to come out together and  clean it up,” volunteer Ollie said.

Jaylene said Wai undertakes regular beach clean-ups at sites throughout the area.

PHOTOS: Supplied