For the first time, key waterways in Sydney Harbour will be equipped with innovative technologies to reduce the amount of rubbish polluting the Harbour as part of the ‘Smarter, Cleaner Sydney Harbour’ initiative co-funded by the NSW Government.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the pilot program is using cutting-edge technology to protect one of Australia’s most iconic environments.

“This initiative complements our $9.1 million Seabirds to Seascapes project, which is helping restore Sydney Harbour by replanting seagrass meadows, installing hundreds of Living Seawall panels, supporting fur seals and little penguins,” Mr Griffin said.

The program will help to reduce the 3,500 cubic metres of litter currently entering Sydney Harbour, equivalent to about 44,000 wheelie bins.

This initiative is a collaboration between Sydney Olympic Park Authority, Sydney Coastal Council Group Inc, Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, Parramatta River Catchment Group, and is co-funded by the NSW Government.