Report before you fix

Have you already tried to report the problem?

If not, click here to learn how to report it.

Already reported and still no luck?

Click here to escalate the issue to your ward councillor.

Communities acting together can make things happen. Click here to discover how.

Still no success? The info below will help you fix it yourself.

DISCLAIMER: Check with your local authority on legal ways to fix problems yourself. Fixlocal cannot take responsibility for any problems that may arise in fixing it yourself.

Why is a river cleanup important?

Cleaning a river is important for keeping the local environment healthy and making sure the community has clean water. Pollution in rivers can harm animals and the environment and be dangerous to people. By organising a community cleanup, you can help make the river beautiful and useful again.

How to organise a river cleanup with your community

Things you need:

• Rubbish bags: For collecting litter and other rubbish.
• Gloves: To protect hands while picking up trash.
• Safety gear: Like goggles and masks to keep you safe.
• First aid kit: For any minor injuries during the cleanup.

Tools required:

• Grabbers or tongs: To pick up trash without having to use your hands.
• Nets: For collecting rubbish from the water.
• Buckets: For sorting recyclables and non-recyclables.
• Signs: To guide volunteers and inform the public about the cleanup.

Steps to organise a river cleanup:

1. Plan the event: Choose a date and time for the cleanup and identify the specific area of the river that needs attention.
2. Gather volunteers: Ask people in your community, local groups, and schools to join your team.
3. Get permissions: Talk to local authorities to get any permits you may need for the cleanup.
4. Promote the event: Use social media, flyers, and community boards to tell people and get them to join.
5. Prepare supplies: Make sure you have all the necessary materials and tools ready for the day of the cleanup.
6. Conduct the cleanup: On the day of the event, organise volunteers into groups, distribute supplies, and start cleaning the river area.
7. Throw away waste properly: Sort the rubbish into recyclables like plastic, glass, paper and non-recyclables. Arrange to throw them away in garbage recycling places.
8. Celebrate and teach: After the cleanup, thank the volunteers and teach the community why keeping the river clean is important.

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.