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Environmental award for beach management

The influx of eight million visitors each year to Manly beaches on Sydney’s north shore has meant that firm steps need to be taken to preserve one of Australia’s most beautiful and popular tourist attractions. The Manly community of 38,000 must handle this influx which every day of the year could seriously damage the environment.

Their efforts were recognised when Manly Council won the 2004 Keep Australia Beautiful ‘Clean Beach Challenge’ Sydney Water Resource Conservation and Waste Management Award This is a statewide competition now in its fourth year. It aims to recognise best practice and environmental initiatives that help protect and enhance the fragile coastal environment. This award is the most recent in a flood of honours acknowledging outstanding environment initiatives by Manly Council. These include:

• a Department of Energy and Urban Services Gold Globe Award for progress in the Energy Smart Business program.
• a highly commended in the Biodiversity section of the annual Local Government and Shires Association Excellence in the Environment awards for its Flora and Fauna Study.
• the Manly Environment Centre collected the statewide Streamwatch award, which is sponsored by the National Association of Testing Authorities, for Excellence in Water Quality Monitoring.

Manly Mayor, Doctor Peter Macdonald, said each of these awards is creditable, but together they represent outstanding environmental performance across a wide range of Council operations.

“The Clean Beach Challenge also provides a link between Local Government and grassroots community organisations that help manage and preserve New South Wales’ precious beaches,” he said.

Among the many Manly Council innovations considered by the award judges of the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge was the introduction of water minimisation practices and devices. These included:

• sourcing alternative water resources
• introducing waterless urinals into Council facilities
• implementing the Sea Change stormwater runoff pollution prevention program for the Manly Corso
• introducing a mobile dishwasher for use at large Council events such as the Manly Food & Wine Festival
• piloting the Stormwater Treatment and Re-use (STAR) Project on North Steyne.

“Council has been diligent in the incorporation of waste management activities into a broader waste management strategy for the beach through such initiatives as the Manly Sustainability Strategy, the Litter Avoidance Strategy and our Waste Avoidance development control plan,” Dr Macdonald said. “An important part of our resource conservation and waste management at the beach strategy has been community education and consultation.”

Community awareness raising initiatives include presenting a Sustainability Youth Forum, conducting surveys, hosting environment focused exhibitions at Manly Art Gallery and Museum, supporting Ocean Care Day, and sponsoring a Hop in and Help Manly Lagoon Project.

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