Coastwest - helping communities to care for the WA Coast

The Coastwest program and the WAPC would like to thank the individuals, community groups, organisations and local governments for their contribution to the protection and management of our special coastal and marine environment.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said this year’s recipients of the Western Australian Coastal Awards were to be congratulated on the passion and dedication they showed for the coastal environment.

"The awards are an important opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate individuals and groups for their commitment and hard work in improving the state’s coastal areas” Ms MacTiernan said.

Coastal awards recognise protection work from Broome to Dunsborough - Statement by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure

The winners of each category were:

Outstanding Coastal Leadership – Mr Michael Norman for his outstanding leadership in initiating a range of activities and projects relating the protection and preservation of the coast. Mr Norman’s achievements include the Joondalup Community Coast Care Forum and successful implementation of the Sorrento dune rehabilitation project. He has organised intensive weeding and planting projects and installed signs to inform beach users of the work in progress. He has also continually monitored on-going work and ensured the involvement of community groups and local residents in the restoration works. Mr Norman has achieved all of this in his spare time, while being employed full -time in an unrelated industry.

Outstanding Community Group Effort – Roebuck Bay Working Group for their progress in building local capacity to care for Roebuck Bay in Broome. The group is a collaboration of Traditional Owners and Indigenous representatives, government agencies, industry groups, community organisations and local government, working to achieve sustainable management of Roebuck Bay, a tropical marine embayment that is highly valued for its cultural and natural heritage.

The Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society was awarded a special commendation for community group effort for coordinating the South West Marine Debris Project where volunteers removed marine debris on the Cape-to-Cape coastline. More than 300 volunteers have removed 100,000 pieces of debris from beaches in an effort to protect and preserve the safety and environmental values of the coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the South West.

Outstanding Partnership in Coastal Planning and/or Management – Department of Environment & Conservation, Midwest Region for developing partnerships with the community and stakeholder groups and coordinating the Coastal Assessment and Restoration Project. The project involved assessing the threat of coastal degradation on four hundred kilometres of coast between Guilderton and Kalbarri. The project has also begun to implement site development works and rehabilitation to restore environmental values in areas at most risk.

Local Government Excellence in Coastal Planning and/or Management – Shire of Dandaragan for the Sandy Cape Restoration and Rehabilitation Project. Since 2003 the Shire of Dandaragan has managed the Sandy Cape with the goal of ensuring greater sustainability, protection of environmental values and improved recreational opportunities for the local community. This ongoing project has seen the removal of squatter shacks, improved safety of the area, stabilisation of sand dunes and improvement of facilities.

Outstanding Coastal Development, Innovation and/or Design - A special commendation for coastal development, innovation and/or design was awarded to Peet Limited for its Burns Beach Estate. The estate provides a benchmark for coastal development due to its commitment to preparing, implementing and monitoring plans with the aim of conserving the natural environment, protecting biodiversity and providing recreational opportunities for the community. Burns Beach Estate is an example of best practice urban design, incorporating economic, environmental and community planning principles as part of the design process.