Caring for the coast

With the March and Easter long weekends just around the corner, Yorke Peninsula Council is reminding visitors and locals to stick to designated paths to help protect coastal sand dunes.

Yorke Peninsula’s dunes contain sites of significance to Narungga people, including significant Aboriginal heritage sites which are protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.

“Sand dunes are fragile and walking, riding or driving through them can lead to vegetation loss,” Council Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm said.

“Vegetation is important as it keeps the sand in place and without the protective cover of vegetation, the result is erosion, dune blowouts and accelerated sand movement.

“Enjoy the beach, but stay out of the dunes, as this will help conserve our important dune systems, which have a vital role in naturally protecting our beaches, coastline and inland areas from the destructive forces of coastal storms, winds and waves.”

PROTECT THE COAST… Northern and Yorke Landscape Board project officer Janet Moore and Yorke Peninsula Council Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm are reminding people to stick to designated paths and not to venture onto the sand dunes to help protect the environment.

Northern and Yorke Landscape Board project manager Janet Moore said the coast is under threat from the combined impacts of climate change, increasing vehicle-based recreation, weeds and feral pests.

“It is really important to reduce these threats and improve the health of the coast,” she said.

“Everyone has a role to play in protecting our coast, from visitors using existing tracks and formal campgrounds, to shack owners and coastal residents planting local native species in their gardens and removing pest plants that ‘escape’ into the dunes.

“Plus anyone can support one of the many community groups on Yorke Peninsula that regularly undertake coastal protection projects.

“By all pitching in we can continue to enjoy the great coastal lifestyle that Yorke Peninsula offers, protect its unique ecosystems and preserve its cultural significance.”

Things to remember to protect the environment

Stick to designated paths and don’t venture onto the sand dunes Put your rubbish in the bin or take it home with you if bins are full Leave it be – changing or disrupting the natural environment can destroy important habitats

Djulda-wawa Badja Project

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board has partnered with Yorke Peninsula Council and local community groups to strengthen and protect the coastline through a project called Djulda-wawa Badja, which means resilient coast in Narungga language.

Djulda-wawa Badja is a two-year project that aims to build the coastline’s resilience through practical, on-ground land management activities across Yorke Peninsula.

The Northern and Yorke Coastal Management Action Plan has identified that coastal ecosystems across the region are under threat.

“It’s important we care for these highly valued ecosystems by increasing native vegetation cover, stabilising soil and sand, and connecting and revegetating fragmented or degraded areas,” Northern and Yorke Landscape Board project manager Janet Moore said.

“The project includes revegetation, fencing and weed management and support for eastern osprey with the roll-out of artificial nesting sites at Port Broughton and Coobowie.

“It will also develop an access strategy for priority areas of coastal Crown Land.”

This strategy will identify coastal access points and subsequent management of visitor impacts.

“Members of the Narungga community are involved in project planning, oversight and delivery and the project also employs a Narungga ranger and First Nations contractors for on-ground environmental work.”

Coastal revegetation

Djulda-wawa Badja includes 121 hectares of coastal revegetation at the following locations:

2022

Port Victoria Point Pearce

2023

Point Riley Wardang Island Point Souttar Sturt Bay Klein Point