Grants to aid valuable work for the Town of Cambridge coastline

Published on 24 September 2020

The Town of Cambridge, and the volunteer group Cambridge Coastcare, have both received 2021 Coastwest grants to continue the valuable work of caring for the fragile coastline.

The Town’s grant will contribute to developing a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan, aimed at identifying and managing coastal hazards along the Town’s coastline.

The Cambridge Coastcare grant will be used to provide vegetation cover for three dunes directly in front of the Floreat Surf Life Saving Club, The Kiosk (Floreat) and the adjoining playground area.

The project is a partnership with the Town of Cambridge and Cambridge Coastcare partly funded by Coastwest, a division of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH).

Town of Cambridge Mayor Keri Shannon said the project is a wonderful example of a volunteer community group working with State and Local Government to try to lessen the impact of erosion on one of the Town’s iconic beaches.

“I commend the work that Cambridge Coastcare do considering it is all done by such conscientious volunteers who care deeply about the environment and its future,” she said.

“It is most important that we continue to educate and inform the public about keeping to designated paths to protect the coastal dunes, especially where re-vegetation has taken place.

“The dunes form a natural barrier for local beach assets to the wind, sand, salt-spray and erosion during heavy seas.”

[ENDS]

Photo Opportunity: Mayor Keri Shannon and Cambridge Coastcare members, Floreat Surf Club, West Coast Highway. Wednesday 30 September 9:00am

Fact File:

• 2019 Department of Transport report identified Floreat Beach as one of 55 hotspots susceptible to coastal erosion.

• Town of Cambridge received $49 700 grant.

• Cambridge Coastcare have managed $400,000 in grants for coastal projects.

• Cambridge Coastcare was formed 22 years ago as a volunteer body to assist the Town in managing the coastline in the Town.

• Cambridge Coastcare has 65 members including some 20 family memberships.