This Community Coastcare funding will have a strong educational aspect as well as help train coastal community groups on how to develop projects, apply for grant funding and implement these projects.

 

Dr. Rachel Allan, Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM (BDTNRM) Coastal and Marine Programme Coordinator, said: “this project raises the awareness and capacity of the Burdekin Dry Tropics coastal community to implement future projects - specifically volunteer community groups, traditional owner groups, schools and the broader community. It will also help to understand the significance of migratory shorebirds, and appreciate the relationship traditional owners have with dugong and turtles, which are all issues of national significance,” she said.

 

The Burdekin Dry Tropics region’s coastline spans 15 coastal townships including Townsville, Ayr and Bowen. The area has over 20 active community coastcare groups and traditional owner groups. BDTNRM supports these volunteer groups to be actively engaged in the management of their coastlines. This has happened through the NHT2 and Caring for our Country programmes.

 

BDTNRM supports these groups by building regional networks and administering funding for on-ground works. It also hosts a series of events and training workshops as well as providing an avenue for support and advice.

 

An organisation that BDTNRM has supported is the Queens Beach Action Group in Bowen who recently won the 2008 regional ‘Partnerships award’ for the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge.

 

BDTNRM has also recently entered into a partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Schools project. This now enables direct engagement with the youth of the community.

 

“BDTRNM will continue to support and acknowledge the vital role that community play in coastal management, recognising the amazing breath and diversity of community groups and their dedicated individual volunteers,” said Rachel.

 

Photograph: Judging of the Clean Beach Challenge.