Collaborative coastal work completed at Grunters

Seven organisations recently joined forces for a collaborative coastal rehabilitation project aimed at reducing beach users’ environmental impacts at local surf spot, Grunters.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Surfing WA in conjunction with the World Surf League, Undalup Association’s Wadandi Rangers, Greening Australia, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region and Margaret River Coastal Residents Association came together on the last two Thursdays of April to carry out the project.

Shire Coordinator Environment Landcare Services John McKinney said the project drew on the group’s collective knowledge and involved rationalising tracks and dune blowouts by installing native brushing and native cuttings at the popular beach, just south of Margaret River.

“The Margaret River Coastal Residents Association volunteers drew on more than 20 years of local knowledge and expertise, and provided training on coastal management issues including erosion control and weed management,” he said.

“The volunteers were aided by Undalup’s Wadandi Rangers, who provided valuable local knowledge and on-the-ground support.”

Together, the groups donated more than 200 hours of labour to plant hundreds of pigface cuttings, lay more than 20 trailer loads of brush and remove weeds.

The project was jointly funded by the Shire and Surfing WA-World Surf League, with each putting in $3,000.

“This is an extension of our commitment to the region now realised in this exciting community partnership,” Surfing WA Events and Marketing Manager Justin Majeks said.

“We're thrilled to have the traditional owners of the area, the Wadandi People, guiding local residents on coastal conservation and rehabilitation strategies.”

Greening Australia has been working with and training the Wadandi Rangers as part of a Seed Collection and Training project funded by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Greening Australia Program Specialist – Great Southern Landscapes Barry Heydenrych said the organisation was happy to assist a range of local environmental groups with their projects while at the same time giving new skills and experiences to the Undalup Rangers.

This project built on previous work by Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, which was funded by Coastwest and Line in the Sand.

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