A project to protect Western Australia’s coastal seabirds – the fairy terns, a program to encourage school children to adopt a beach, and a coastal planning information-sharing forum, are among the winners of the 2022 Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence.
The biennial awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts and achievements of individuals, community groups, local councils, government agencies and non-government organisations in the planning, management and protection of the State’s diverse and extensive coast.
This year’s Coastal Champion recipient is Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare’s Walter Kolb for his work to restore and conserve the City of Stirling coastal foreshore dunes.
The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) was recognised for its interactive approach to managing coastal hazards through the sharing of information across more than 20 councils, while the Town of Port Hedland was celebrated for its robust planning in the management of coastal hazards.
Further awards went to Perth NRM for its flagship Adopt A Beach and Coastal Capacity Building programs; the Conservation Council of Western Australia for an innovative WA Fairy Tern Network; and the Shire of Broome for the Guwarri Town Beach Redevelopment, which has set a new standard for public open space in the Kimberley.
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As stated by Transport, Planning and Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:
“Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence.
“Our coast is an immensely valuable natural asset, but its dynamic nature poses ongoing care and management challenges.
“The dedicated efforts of the award winners and everyone involved in coast care activities is vital to the coast’s ongoing protection.
“These awards are one way we can acknowledge and celebrate your outstanding work to protect, rejuvenate and rehabilitate our coastal environment.
“Thank you to all the nominees and everyone else involved in this important work.”
Award Recipients
Coastal Champion
Award winner: Walter Kolb – Stirling Natural Environment Coastcare
Since 2004 Walter has worked tirelessly to steer the successful restoration and conservation of project areas along the City of Stirling’s diverse seven-kilometre stretch of coastal foreshore dunes.
Special Commendation: Don Poynton – Friends of North Ocean Reef-Iluka Foreshore
For more than 30 years Don has championed the natural environment and its importance to the community, providing leadership and advocacy for coastal care and encouraging community participation in a range of coast care events.
Coastal Planning
Award winner: Western Australian Local Government Association – Coastal Hazard
Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) Forum
The forum enables the sharing of information on common challenges around local government CHRMAP responsibilities across 20 councils. It is an outstanding example of local governments working together to resolve complex coastal planning challenges.
Coastal Management and Adaptation
Award winner: Town of Port Hedland
Port Hedland’s CHRMAP is being integrated into the Town’s planning frameworks, Coastal Foreshore Management Plan, communication and education projects, and the design of three seawalls. It is also informing other coastal strategies in collaboration with a range of community groups.
Special Commendation: City of Wanneroo – Quinns Beach Long Term Coastal Management
Long term planning and works are in place to manage and protect the Quinns Rocks coastline and its assets – including infrastructure, beach amenity and the natural environment – from erosion.
City of Cockburn – Engineered fringing reef at C.Y. O’Connor beach
Installation of the first stage of a trial engineered fringing reef comprises 135 concrete modules, in 100 metre arrays, around 100 metres from the coast at C.Y. O’Connor Beach – a known coastal erosion hot spot.
Education and Engagement
Award winner: Perth NRM – Adopt A Beach & Coastal Capacity Building Programs
For nearly three years these two flagship programs have seen more than 16,000 seedlings planted into restoration sites and 400 kilograms of marine debris removed from Perth beaches.
Special Commendation: Nature Conservation Margaret River Region – Adopt a Spot Program
More than 200 years 4 and 5 students in primary schools from Yallingup to Augusta have become active custodians of a coastal reserve that their community has a connection with.
Coastal Design
Award winner: Shire of Broome – Guwarri Town Beach Redevelopment
Addressed dilapidation and social issues to revitalise and bring back community ownership and pride into the Town Beach area, setting a new standard for public open space in the Kimberley.
Special Commendation: City of Albany – Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement Project
The first stage in one of regional WA’s most iconic and active beach precincts, offering world-class community, commercial and civic amenity on the south coast.
Science and Research
Award winner: Conservation Council of Western Australia – WA Fairy Tern Network
A network of individuals dedicated to the conservation, research, education, and sustainable management of fairy terns within their local areas.
Special Commendation: CoastSnapWA – Community Beach Monitoring
At nine sites from Rockingham to Busselton, this global initiative involves the community submitting photos of the beach from fixed camera stands to provide data on coastal change, beach condition and shoreline positions.
