A tripling in BeachCare volunteers, a new partnership with the Gold Coast TAFE and litter pick-ups to help keep the beach clean.
These are just some of the many success stories that have developed since the Gold Coast’s Tallebudgera Beach was named the winner of the Keep Australia Clean Beaches Award in May last year.
As well as winning the overall title, Tallebudgera picked up awards in the Community Action and Partnerships, Litter Prevention and Young Legends categories.
Naomi Edwards is the BeachCare Coordinator from Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, which coordinates all Gold Coast Clean Beaches nominations for the Awards.
Ms Edwards said she has been delighted by the volume of opportunities, connections and experiences that have abounded since last year’s win.
“In part, we won last year’s competition due to the partnerships which we had formed within the community. These have since flourished and grown over the past year.
“For example, we have been really impressed by the amount of volunteers that have come forward for BeachCare’s events. This has now increased to a weekly average of approximately 25 individuals of all ages for each event on beaches from Paradise Point to Rainbow Bay.”
Ms Edwards attributed the increase to a growing awareness of the pitfalls of marine debris and beach litter. “This is a still a worrying problem unfortunately but the good news is that the message about keeping our beaches clean is getting through and many people are pitching in to help.
“We offer volunteers a fun and social experience where they can receive refreshments and meet new people. Plus it’s all quite casual with no obligation to continue turning up.”
She said the Centre for Coastal Management’s efforts to work with Gold Coast TAFE conservation students are also paying off at Tallebudgera.
“We have various on-ground works going on including weeding and planting of native species which will significantly increase the biodiversity of the beach. Additionally, since
last year’s win we have had students from the local Tallebudgera Beach School help us out with several litter pick ups.”