Western Australia Minister for Planning John Day

Awards Recognise Commitment Coast-To-Coast

Victor P Taffa

• Awards acknowledge the commitment shown to conserve WA’s coast
• Individuals and groups recognised for management of vast coastline
• Nominations were received from Broome to Bremer Bay

Planning Minister John Day last night presented the Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence 2011 at a ceremony in Perth.

Mr. Day said the awards acknowledged the commitment to WA’s vast coastline shown by community groups, individuals, organisations, government agencies and local governments.

“The awards demonstrate how much work is undertaken by individuals and groups to manage and enhance our coastline; and it is important that those efforts are recognised.” Mr. Day said.

“The Great Southern region figured prominently in the 2011 Awards for Excellence – winning four awards of the six categories – and I congratulate all the winners for their conservation efforts and for actively working towards its preservation and rehabilitation of the WA coast.”

A Recognition Award was also presented to the Cocos Islands Youth Council for their community involvement project.

The Minister said it was good to see such a variety of nominations received from all along the WA coast.

“Nominations were received from Broome to Bremer Bay and the level of dedication shown by all those who were nominated proved a difficult task for the judging panel.” Mr. Day said.

The panel was chaired by the State Coastwest Coordinator and was comprised of representatives from Perth Region Natural Resource Management Incorporated; Western Australian Local Government Association; Coastal Planning and Coordination Council; and Department of Planning.

Fact File

• For further information about the awards and this year’s winners: http://www.planning.wa.gov.au/683.asp
• WA Coastal Awards for Excellence are conducted every two years and are part of the Coastwest program co-ordinated by the Department of Planning and the Western Australian Planning Commission