Myalup dunes to benefit from grant

Dunes along the Myalup coastline will continue to be conserved and maintained with the announcement of a State Government grant on Wednesday.

Harvey Shire Council will receive $35,000 through the Coastwest Grants initiative for stabilising the drifting sands of the Myalup dunes in conjunction with Samson Primary School and the Myalup Community Association.

Students from Bunbury and Perth schools will also take part in revegetation activities to rehabilitate and stabilise the foredune environment. The project will also include education about the traditional ecological and cultural practices surrounding the Myalup coast from local Aboriginal elders.

The project partners will also be contributing $69,950 towards the project.

South West and Peel Coastal Management Group, or CoastSWaP, also received $8000 through the Coastwest program to coordinate forums, field trips and case studies along the coast from Mandurah to Walpole.

The group works with local stakeholders and partners, such as natural resource management groups, Coastcare and ‘Friends of’ groups, Tangaroa Blue, Bird Life Australia, Surfrider Foundation and private land managers to develop case studies on regional priorities.

CoastSWaP also aims to support a these groups and stakeholders with region-wide information, training and networks for collaboration.

The CoastWest grants are administered through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

Acting Transport, Planning and Lands Minister Bill Johnston said coastal managers, community groups and countless volunteers undertook the vast and challenging work, to protect and maintain this vulnerable asset of WA’s coastline with support from the State Government.

“Working in partnership with local coastal managers to address management issues and protect the WA coastline provides significant benefits to the State and the community,” he said.

“The 45 local projects funded in the latest round of coastal grants are vital in gaining a better understanding of coastal processes and ensuring the protection of vulnerable public assets.”