Tathra wins three clean beach awards - Bega Valley

Tathra Beach has won three awards and was highly commended a further two categories in the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beaches Awards, announced in Sydney

The mayor, Cr Tony Allen, accepts the award for Enviro0nmental Innovation from the star of Bondi Rescue, Bruce Hopkins (Hoppo).

Tathra NSW Environmental Innovation - Mayor Tony Allen & Bondi Rescue’s Hoppo

Tathra has a long history of community based action to protect and enhance its magnificent coastal environment.

Tathra Beach, one of the Bega Valley Shire’s premier tourist beaches, is backed by an extensive coastal reserve system for its entire length.

Local and district residents flock to Tathra year round to take advantage of the diversity of coastal ecosystems and reserve facilities.

The beach environment ranges from natural dune systems and remnant vegetation communities to developed recreational areas, surf club and a caravan park.

According to the Australian Clean Beaches Judge, Chris Tola, the shire is well known for community activity and Tathra Beach is cared for by many active and dedicated community groups and individuals.

“Their long-term commitment guarantees innovation and a shared responsibility to the coast and wider local environment earned them the Community Action award,” he said.

The Community Action award recognises achievement in community beautification, presentation and pride.

Tathra is also the birth place of the Clean Energy for Eternity group whose focus is community-based climate change mitigation actions.

Beginning with a 3000 person human sign on Tathra Beach spelling out “Clean Energy for Eternity”, the group has now expanded with chapters in four neighbouring shires and in Mosman (Sydney) and Victoria.

This initiative won Tathra the Environmental Innovation award which recognises achievement through innovation by community, government and business under the principles and practical actions associated with environment protection and sustainability.

Dr Matthew Nott, the driving force behind the initiative, also received the Dame Phyllis Frost Individual Award.

That award, named for the founder of Keep Australia Beautiful, recognises outstanding individual or group contributions to the principles of sustainable communities.

Tathra Beach was also highly commended in the Community Partnership and Protection of the Environment categories.

Townsville’s The Strand won the overall Clean Beaches national title for 2008.

Bruce Hopkins (Hoppo), Waverley Council lifeguard co-ordinator and star of Channel 10’s ‘Bondi Rescue’ program attended the national awards presentation and congratulated all participants for their efforts:

Australia’s favourite premium spring water Mount Franklin, is celebrating individual, local and community sustainability efforts by sponsoring the Australian Clean Beaches Awards 2008.

Further information about the Australian Clean Beaches Awards can be found at www.kab.org.au

Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Clean Beaches, Award Recipients 2008