Judges from the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge have confirmed what Bega Valley Shire residents have known for decades: the region’s beaches are among the best in NSW, if not Australia. A number of Bega Valley Shire beaches were recognised at a regional level in this year’s Clean Beach Awards including Tathra Beach, which was named best overall beach on the NSW South Coast and Merimbula’s Main Beach, which was highly commended.
Category winners at a regional level included Bar Beach in Merimbula (Energy Australia Friendly Beach Award) and Pambula Beach (Young Legends Award) while Main Beach (Energy Australia Friendly Beach Award), Bermagui’s Camel Rock (Alcoa Australia Rolled Products Litter Prevention Award), Eden’s Aslings Beach (Community Action Award; Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Natural Heritage Award), Tathra Beach (Young Legends Award) and Pambula Beach (Country Energy Beach Spirit Award) were all highly commended.
Tathra Beach went on to be recognised at a State level, picking up one of two highly commended awards at a function in Sydney.
Ned’s Beach on Lord Howe Island was named the State’s cleanest beach with Nobby’s Beach in Newcastle picking up the other highly commended award.
Mayor David Hede said the Bega Valley Shire’s success in this year’s Clean Beach Challenge – which attracted 160 NSW entries from Tweed Heads in the north to Eden in the south – reflected community pride in the Shire’s magnificent coastline and beautiful beaches. He said the judges had noted the involvement of a range of community based organisations across the Shire including surf life saving clubs, Aboriginal land councils, foreshore committees and Landcare groups.
“These awards belong to the hundreds of people who are out there day after day, picking up rubbish, pulling out weeds and generally contributing to the visitor experience,” Cr Hede said. “They show that it when it comes to protecting and enhancing our coastline, community based groups are keen to take the lead or to work closely with Bega Valley Shire Council to achieve the best possible results.”
Bega Valley Shire Council was particularly proud of the Bar Beach award because it followed the recent completion of $50,000 worth of improvements designed to protect a site of Aboriginal cultural significance.
Working in consultation with the Bega Traditional Aboriginal Elders Council, Council constructed a timber observation deck overlooking the Merimbula coastline as well as new stairs and a ramp down to the beach.
