media release

17 November 2006

Clean Beach Challenge: Green Island cleans up in Far North Qld

Green Island has been judged Far North ’s Cleanest Beach for 2006.

The popular island, off the coast from Cairns, won this year’s regional Clean Beach Challenge title ahead of 19 other strong contenders in the Far region.

A record-breaking 176 beaches entered this year’s Challenge, from Dauan Island in the Torres Strait to Rainbow Bay near the border.

Keep Beautiful Queensland CEO Kylie Johnston said Green Island lived up to its name.

“The beach environment at Green Island is a fantastic example of teamwork,” Ms Johnston said.

“Staff from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Green Island Resort and Cairns City Council work with community members and students to keep the beach and foreshore pristine.

“Activities at Green Island cover the gamut of Clean Beach Challenge criteria and the results are evident to anyone who visits,” Ms Johnston said.

As well as the overall title of Far North Queensland’s Cleanest Beach, nine outstanding accomplishment awards have been announced*:

1. Tourism Queensland Friendly Beach Award | Trinity Beach 2. Beach Spirit Award |Cow Bay 3. Australian Food & Grocery Council Litter Prevention Award | Etty Bay 4. Resource Conservation & Waste Management Award | Four Mile Beach 5. Three Plus Community-Local Government Partnership Award | Cardwell Shire Council for Cardwell Beach 6. Protection of the Environment Award | South Mission Beach 7. Outdoor Media Association Young Legends Award | Buli Beach 8. Community Action Award | Palm Cove 9. Individual Outstanding Accomplishment Award | Cherry Tree Bay volunteers

Ms Johnston said Green Island would automatically join the Cleanest Beach winners from the five other judging regions as finalists for the overall State title to be announced in December.

Within the next few weeks, the top three outstanding accomplishment award winners in each of the other categories from around the State will be selected and shortlisted for the State titles.

* The judges’ comments about each winner are attached.

for interviews | Kylie Johnston, Tel 0408 415 903 for media assistance | Liz Kearins, Tel 3252 2886 or 0408 017 832 for more information visit our website| www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/beaches 2

Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge Far North Queensland Region Judges Stuart Ackerman, Bruce Matthews & Hayden Hopwood

Far North Queensland’s Cleanest Beach – Green Island The Cleanest Beach Award takes into account a beach’s geographic, environmental, cultural and economic circumstances, and assesses how efficiently and effectively the beach community uses the resources available to it against a range of criteria, including visitor friendliness and hospitality, resource conservation and waste management, community-local government partnerships, youth enterprise and activity, community action, litter prevention and management, and fauna and flora protection, including dune protection.

Great teamwork is the secret to success at Green Island. Tourist numbers on the island are strictly limited to preserve the environment. An extensive path network provides easy beach access, with picnic and seating areas encouraging visitors to enjoy their surroundings. There is an accredited visitor information centre, multi-lingual signage and information using universal symbols to guide tourists. Litter is effectively managed through education, the prominent placement of general waste, recycling and cigarette butt bins and regular cleaning patrols. These activities are carried out by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Green Island Resort staff, community members and students. Energy efficient fittings are in place, and taps and showers are fitted with flow restrictors. Amenities are labelled for water awareness and treated wastewater is reused on gardens. Cairns City Council lifeguards patrol the main beach and the public pool all year round. Recyclables are sorted and returned to the mainland for processing. Environmental protection strategies are devised by a committee that includes the Council and activities over the past year have reduced rodent populations and boosted the number of native ground-dwelling birds. Dune protection and rehabilitation initiatives are regularly undertaken. With all the stakeholders working together, Green Island is not only green, it’s clean too!

Tourism Queensland Friendly Beach Award – Trinity Beach This award recognises a commitment to, and active promotion of, visitor friendliness.

Trinity Beach is an inviting destination with well-designed facilities for locals and visitors to enjoy. Lifeguards patrol the beach throughout the year. A visitor information centre is conveniently located on the beach. Multilingual booklets and signage feature universal symbols to ensure that visitors are aware of water safety and regular sweeps of the beach are made for jellyfish. Seasonal stinger nets are installed and first aid treatment is on hand. There is parking along the foreshore and an attractive amenities block nearby. Cairns City Council has installed pathways for easy access and there are many seating areas, barbeques and picnic facilities. The northern end of the beach features a shaded children's playground and a new amenities block, which has ramp access for prams and wheelchairs. The foreshore is kept clean through the combined efforts of Council staff, local students, community members and the Tourism at Trinity Beach group. Trinity Beach provides a warm and friendly welcome to all who visit its shores.

for interviews | Kylie Johnston, Tel 0408 415 903 for media assistance | Liz Kearins, Tel 3252 2886 or 0408 017 832 for more information visit our website| www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/beaches 3

Beach Spirit Award – Cow Bay This award recognises coastal communities that are facing or have faced difficult times, but which show outstanding commitment to solving problems by turning them into opportunities.

Cow Bay is a great of example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when communities come together. Successful negotiations between the Cow Bay community, Traditional Owners, Douglas Shire Council and the State Government have led to new management arrangements for the beach designed to meet the needs of all parties. An initial Indigenous Land Use agreement over 87 hectares appeared likely to restrict local use of the foreshore and parkland. The Friends of Cow Bay group and the Traditional Owners, the Kuku Yalanji, came up with an alternative plan, enabling two hectares to be set aside for a community reserve. A large conservation area was also granted on land west of the reserve to the creek. The remaining 85 hectares will become Aboriginal freehold land. In line with this spirit of cooperation, two Cow Bay residents, two members of the Kuku Yalanji people and the two local Councillors will form a unique management committee for the beach. The committee will advise the Council on the area’s upkeep, including on revegetation needs. The coming together of stakeholders to decide and manage the future of Cow Bay is a wonderful example of beach spirit.

Australian Food & Grocery Council Litter Prevention Award – Etty Bay This award recognises outstanding accomplishment in litter prevention, management and education.

Etty Bay locals are proud of their piece of paradise. They keep the beach litter-free by making patrols and holding regular clean ups. These activities are carried out with the support of businesses such as the Etty Bay Kiosk as well as volunteers from the Surf Life Saving Club’s Nippers program and the staff of Johnstone Shire Council. The Council provides an ample number of bins along the foreshore, which are serviced before and after the weekend peak period to ensure that they do not overflow. The Council has also installed signage featuring symbols to encourage visitors not to litter. Etty Bay has been designated a dog-free zone to prevent dog litter on the beach and to protect cassowary populations in the area. The beach’s glass-free status also helps to keep it safe and tidy. The results at Etty Bay provide a beautiful example of effective litter prevention and management.

Resource Conservation & Waste Management Award – Four Mile Beach This award recognises outstanding accomplishment in resource conservation and waste management.

Douglas Shire Council has worked hard to minimise the environmental impacts of visitors at Four Mile Beach. The Council has recently invested in purpose-built dual bin systems to collect litter and recyclables such as bottles and cans. These bins integrate functionality with sleek design and high visibility. Showers and drinking fountains have been designed with water conservation, amenity and accessibility in mind. Lighting in picnic areas and along the foreshore is controlled by seasonally adjusted automatic switches. Prominent signage urging ‘Don’t Waste Our Esplanade’ also promotes appropriate litter disposal and recycling. Notices include universal symbols to encourage all visitors to look after the beach. Four Mile Beach has a popular dog walking zone, fitted with easily accessed dog litter bag dispensers. Recycled plastic has been used for picnic tables and signage on the foreshore, and is further evidence of environmental sensitivity. Four Mile Beach is to be commended for its positive achievements in resource conservation and waste management.

for interviews | Kylie Johnston, Tel 0408 415 903 for media assistance | Liz Kearins, Tel 3252 2886 or 0408 017 832 for more information visit our website| www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/beaches 4

Three Plus Community-Local Government Partnership Award – Cardwell Shire Council for Cardwell Beach This award recognises outstanding partnership achievements by a local government and its community.

Cardwell Beach has a sweeping foreshore with stunning views to Hinchinbrook Island. With the close by, the beach provides a convenient rest and picnic point for travellers. There are shaded picnic areas, a playground and well-maintained parklands with strategically-placed bins that are managed by Cardwell Shire Council. The Council fully supports community activities to improve the foreshore. It is deeply involved in the annual Sea Fest organised by the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce, which raises funds to improve local facilities. These efforts have resulted in a viewing platform on the foreshore equipped with binoculars. Partnerships between the Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the community and businesses have ensured the effective management of the Great Green Way Tourism Centre at the beach. The Council and the community also manage the nearby Cardwell Bush Telegraph Heritage Centre as a major tourist attraction. To address the enormous foreshore erosion caused by Cyclone Larry, the Council is working with locals to implement an erosion management program. Cardwell Shire Council’s strong relationship with community, business and government interests at Cardwell Beach are to be commended.

Protection of the Environment Award – South Mission Beach This award recognises outstanding accomplishment in the protection of the local natural environment and, specifically, the preservation of fauna and flora.

Environmental protection is a priority at South Mission Beach. The community and Cardwell Shire Council are working together to conserve foreshore vegetation and implement a weed management plan for Singapore Daisy. A coconut management plan is also being developed, under which the existing trees will be replaced with lower maintenance hybrids. Although cyclonic activity has lead to increased erosion, steps are in place to address this problem. A coastal erosion and management options study has been developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council and the local community. As a result, the Council has embarked on a sand replenishment program. Tree roots exposed by erosion are being protected with sand and community working bees have been held to plant beach vine and remove litter. Initiatives to protect cassowaries include the placement of interpretive signage in parks which encourages visitors to be aware of cassowaries on roads and to refrain from feeding the birds. The environmental projects at South Mission Beach involve organisations such as the Mission Beach Community Association, the Surf Life Saving Club and the Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation group working with the Council. This cooperation for nature has made South Mission Beach a special place for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Outdoor Media Association Young Legends Award – Buli Beach This award recognises outstanding accomplishment by youth and by a beach/community that encourages and promotes youth activity.

Beautiful Dauan Island in the Torres Strait is only seven kilometres from the Papua New Guinea coastline. Students at Dauan Island State School are fortunate to have Buli Beach as their front yard. Of the 180 residents on the island, 44 are young attendees at the school. Their enthusiastic monthly clean ups of this beach and the surrounding area have encouraged other community members to lend a hand. The students have been looking after fruit trees and vegetable gardens in their school grounds as part of their commitment to nature. To further enhance the area for others, the students are also caring for environmentally suitable plantings provided by the Dauan Island Council.

for interviews | Kylie Johnston, Tel 0408 415 903 for media assistance | Liz Kearins, Tel 3252 2886 or 0408 017 832 for more information visit our website| www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/beaches 5

These efforts have ensured that the school makes an important contribution to the whole community and environment. Each one of these students is a young legend making a real difference on their beautiful island home.

Community Action Award – Palm Cove This award recognises outstanding community organisation and pride – expressed through civic, cultural and environmental activities.

Palm Cove locals are heavily involved in the management of their beach and foreshore. Clean ups are organised all year round by business and community groups. These activities, together with individual litter patrols, keep the beach and foreshore pristine. Residents are currently working with Cairns City Council on development and management plans for foreshore enhancement. Additionally, some local businesses have adopted sections of the foreshore, which they maintain to preserve the clean image of the esplanade. The community supports celebrations including the Palm Cove Fiesta, New Year’s Eve fireworks, Carols by Candlelight, Australia Day and free concerts. The proceeds of these events frequently support local groups and worthy causes. To enhance their surroundings, residents are involved in the control of weed species such as Singapore Daisy. They have also worked with the Council to add identification plaques beside significant trees along the foreshore. The Palm Cove community is to be congratulated for their dedicated efforts to protect and enhance the beach for all.

Individual Outstanding Accomplishment Award – Cherry Tree Bay Volunteers This award recognises individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to Queensland beaches and who espouse the principles of the Clean Beach Challenge.

It seems that the residents of Cooktown have fallen in love with Cherry Tree Bay. A group of five locals armed with bags, secateurs and sandwiches regularly treks to the beach to keep it pristine. Since 2003, the group has tended to this secluded piece of the world on an almost daily basis. Members keep the track open by trimming rogue branches and they scour the sands for litter washed in on the tide. Larger items are removed by other volunteers or Cook Shire Council staff. Washed up items are reused where possible. Michael and Margaret Rogers, Marg Robb and Andrew and Dianne Davies are to be commended for channelling their enthusiasm into positive outcomes for the environment at Cherry Tree Bay.

ends

for interviews | Kylie Johnston, Tel 0408 415 903 for media assistance | Liz Kearins, Tel 3252 2886 or 0408 017 832 for more information visit our website| www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/beaches