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Coastal Program

2012/13 HighlightsThe Coastal Community Engagement Program (CCEP) is a joint initiative betwenn the City of Gold Coast (GCCC) and Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (GCCM). The program was founded in 2001 to enhance the capacity of the Gold Coast community to participate in coastal community engagement activities and coastal decision-making processes.

CoastEd and BeachCare are two core sub-programs of CCEP.

CoastEd focuses on delivering school and community-based education sessions and the development of educational resources. Topics focus on the crucial link between the local environment, waterways, the ocean and the overall health of the coastal zone.

BeachCare seeks to provide opportunities for community members to participate in caring for their local beach, while gaining important information about coastal management and the future of Gold Coast’s beaches and foreshores. This is achieved through facilitating community dune care activities at various beach locations from Rainbow Bay to Paradise Point, while up-skilling key community leaders to carry out additional activities.

Both CoastEd and BeachCare foster key community champions to be engaged in the management of Gold Coast beaches, while expanding resources to support capacity needs. In addition, highlight the extensive coastal management strategies that GCCC implement and overall commitment to a sustainable coastal zone. It is envisioned that both CoastEd and BeachCare will continue to support each other to enhance the expansion of CCEP in the future.

Please see the highlights from 2012/13.

A notable highlight for CoastEd was the development of coastal education resources to support the current suite for the Our Coast package. This included information sheets, additional publications and photos to the existing online public library, as well as two scoping reports to define future projects.

Further, CoastEd delivered 62 education sessions to approximately 3000 individuals, with 31% representing the Gold Coast community. This maintained growth capacity and outreach to the Gold Coast community as the value of CoastEd increased by 36% in 2013/14. Therefore, a great achievement when compared to be the 29 sessions that were delivered in the inception year of 2002.

Examples of some of the schools and community organisations CoastEd engaged with between 2012/13 include:

- Southport SHS- Aquinas College- Coomera Anglican College- Tambourine Mountain SHS- Musgrave SS- Varsity College- St Thomas More College- Brisbane Grammar (and Girls)- Brisbane SHS- Helensvale Scouts- Yeskandoo- Life Changing Events- Other community organisations and Griffith outreach activities.

In the coming 2013/14, CoastEd will continue to maintain the delivery of 50

education sessions and develop various educational materials and opportunities, including newspaper and magazine articles, an engagement toolbox and maintenance of exisitng resources.

BeachCare also had a very successful year, which builds on from consecutive years. There were 42 activities/events facilitated, which totalled an overall volunteer participation value of $37,048. Site area increased to a total of 14ha and through volunteered effort, over 3000 dune plants were planted, approximately 6 tonnes of weeds removed by hand and100 bags of beach litter collected. All participants provided valuable feedback and support the ongoing opportunities BeachCare facilitate.

BeachCare’s diverse partnerships has proved to be a successful to foster coastal awareness as there was an increased capacity of 13%. For example, increased youth involvement through the Griffith University and Bond University community engagement programs leveraged overall community participation. Further, the establishment of corporate partnerships, such as, GC TAFE, Landcare Australia and Telstra has provided seed support to open more opportunities.

By creating partnerships on the beach, BeachCare provides the opportunity for cross-generations to interact. This furthers coastal conversations and key messages about the importance of coastal zone and management.

BeachCare site locations include:- Paradise Point- Runaway Bay- Labrador- Broadbeach- Mermaid Beach- North Burleigh- Tallebudgera Beach- Palm Beach- Currumbin- Tugun- North Kirra- Rainbow Bay Working in partnership to protect, manage and

enhance Gold Coast’s beaches (source: GCCC)

‘I Can’t Sea Through This’ sculpture on display at the SWELL Sculpture Festival 2012

A key highlight for 2012/13 included the successful nominations for Keep Queensland Beautiful’s Clean Beaches competition with winning eight state categories and Queensland’s cleanest beach award. The direct communication links CCEP has developed over the years is an extremely valuable asset. This enabled CCEP to efficiently and effectively submit the nominations and coordinate a local ceremony with delegates including Honourable Jann Stuckey MP, Mr Mayor Tom Tate, other relevant Councillors, as well as 40 other important coastal stakeholders.

Other highlights: successful partnership involvement at the SWELL Sculpture Festival (see photo below) and the release of the Our Coast videos and Building Dunes for the Community and the Coast booklet.

Building valueA closer relationship with GCCC Engineering Assets team has largely contributed to the significant achievements for 2013/14. Through Engineering Assets hosting of a CCEP staff member on a fortnightly basis, it is envisioned that the partnership between GCCC and GCCM will continue to flourish. This is extremely important to recognise and support as pressures along the coastal zone will continue to increase.

Through ongoing support for CCEP, positive coastal community outreach will enhance coastal awareness about the need for sustainable coastal management and add direct value to the City of Gold Coast’s Ocean Beaches Strategy.

Clean Beaches

For more information please contact:Griffith Centre for Coastal ManagementGriffith University, Gold Coast CampusPhone: 07 55 528506Fax: 07 55 528722Email: gccm@griffith.edu.auWebsite: griffith.edu.au/coastal-managementFacebook: facebook.com/beachcare.coasted