News Details - Coastcare Australia

Outstanding project from Tasmania wins prestigious 2008 National Landcare Award.

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The Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania has won the Australian Government Coastcare Award in front of hundreds of people at the nation’s top environmental awards – held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra.

The association has brought together more than 30 Coastcare groups and 1,000 individuals and is the first organisation of its type in Australia.

The Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania has won the prestigious Australian Government Coastcare Award tonight (Thursday October 23rd) at the National Landcare Awards which were held at Parliament House in Canberra.

The award was presented in front of a packed audience of people from Australia’s fast growing Landcare movement.

Long time Landcare supporter and acting legend Jack Thompson was at the National Landcare Awards .

Jack Thompson said “Natural resource management is a complex task. In the past, Coastcare groups, government agencies and environmental organisations have worked separately to deliver coastal management outcomes. In southern Tasmania, a group of motivated and committed volunteers sought to create a more holistic approach to coastal management bringing all key stakeholders together. In 2003 they established Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania.”

“Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania is the first organisation of its type in Australia, bringing together 30 Coastcare groups and more than 1000 individuals. The group has input into coastal management policy and planning and fosters links between government and other environment organisations. The result is a collaborative, strategic and successful protection of the coastal environment.”

“Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania has been remarkable in coordinating a wide range of activities across the region. It provides support to community groups and provides them with a regional perspective for their projects. It brings people together in fun and informative regional events to discuss broader issues and share ideas and achievements. Volunteers are inspired, supported and reinvigorated to go back into their local communities to carry out Coastcare projects.”

“As a peak organisation Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania helps groups minimise administration. It recently brought together small individual groups that do not have the resources to apply for funds and applied under a joint application to Envirofunds. The application was successful in securing $77,000 for eight member organisations. The groups then initiated on-ground projects in nine diverse areas across South East Tasmania. Teams of volunteers removed weeds and revegetated, created designated beach access and reduced erosion. Other groups worked to protect penguins and significant Indigenous heritage sites.”

“Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania is now in a position to share its knowledge and expertise. At the Coast2Coast Conference it presented its innovative model to other environment groups. Their approach has since been replicated in the Cradle Coast with the formation of the North West Coastcare Association of Tasmania.”

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett said “The Australian Government is very pleased to support the National Landcare Awards. As we tackle the impacts of climate change, Australians are aware, more than ever, of the need to protect and preserve our precious land and water resources. This award recognises the fantastic team effort of the Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania and the great work they do in their very special part of the world. Of course they have been selected from a field of very worthy nominees and I would like to congratulate all of the finalists in this category for their contribution to building a more resilient Australian landscape and coastline.”

Landcare’s Chief Executive Brian Scarsbrick added, “Coastcare is just so important and this project is absolutely remarkable. It has harnessed people power to get action happening. We congratulate all of the National Landcare Awards winners. We have seen remarkable finalists. The awards are about action and we are seeing so many amazing projects making a huge difference, changing Australia and the direction we take in looking after our land. Landcare is also about building solid partnerships – with local communities and with government and with businesses.”

“Australia’s Landcare movement continues to go from strength to strength and it’s remarkable to see how many dedicated people are out there putting into place practical solutions to our problems. We’d like to think winners like these will inspire the rest of Australia will follow their lead and get involved.”

Media enquiries to Media Key on 03 9769 6488,
Ross Woodward on 0409 420 112 or Danyel Walker on 0418 257 738.

You can also ring Sacha Dench at Landcare Australia
on 02 9412 1040 or 0437 498 698.