The Douglas Shire Sustainability Group (DSSG) is set to lead a clean up of Wharf Street in Port Douglas, after registering the site for this weekend's Great Northern Clean Up.

The DSSG, in collaboration with the Low Isles Preservation Society, has targeted one of the town's main streets, and will focus their efforts on the area between Port-of-Call Lodge and the Port Douglas Yacht Club.

"This is a really important site due to its proximity to Dickson Inlet," said Site Co-ordinator Roisin Allen.

"The DSSG targeted this site a number of years ago and it is in serious need of another clean-up. Last time we removed a lot of rubbish - not only from the roadsides, but from the mangroves as well [including] a car battery and shopping trolley."

DSSG President Kevin 'Kstar' Eldridge explained the group continues to participate in and support Clean Up Australia Day efforts because "some of the DSSGs objectives concern promoting the preservation and conservation of the unique environment within the Douglas Shire and its surrounds, as well as that of the Great Barrrier Reef Marine Park."

"The DSSG is also in partnership with Tangaroa Blue, supporting the introduction of a plastic bag free Port Douglas as part of the "Think Outside the Bag" Campaign. The campaign is an initiative of the Cairns and Far North Environmental Centre (CAFNEC)," Kstar said, adding the DSSG will have some of the reusable CAFNEC bags available to volunteers on the day.

The Great Northern Clean Up is aimed at providing an opportunity for the communities within the northern parts of Australia to participate in the Clean Up Australia experience at a time more suitable to the tropical climate. According to Clean Up Australia, the regional event doesn't replace the annual, national March Clean Up Australia Day, but provides the community with another opportunity to get involved.

Since the first Great Northern Clean Up in 2009, the event has gone from strength to strength. In 2012, over 6200 site supervisors and volunteers participated, removing 340,000 kilograms of rubbish.

The DSSG is encouraging anyone who can spare a few hours between 9am and noon on Sunday, 22 September 2013, to consider helping out.

To register as a volunteer with the DSSG site, visit http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/Mangroves.