Barwon Coast launches new sand dune protection campaign

BARWON Coast is leading a new campaign that focuses on fines that can be given to people who enter sand dunes unlawfully.

Barwon Coast community liaison and education manager Maddie Glynn said sand dune degradation was a significant environmental issue and, as part of the Barwon Coast Share Our Shores project, they had partnered with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria Police, CFA, City of Greater Geelong and Ocean Grove Coastcare to advocate behavioral change among beach users when it comes to dune protection.

“This campaign is called ‘How deep are your pockets?’ and focuses on the fines that can be given to those who enter sand dunes unlawfully,” Ms Glynn said.

“Not only does entering the vegetated zones of the dune system degrade the natural values, but it is dangerous to your own health and wellbeing.

“Dunes are known to become top heavy and slump down without warning.

“Leaving litter in the dunes harms wildlife and blankets out the seed bank preventing natural regeneration of plants and in itself can become fuel loads for fire.”

Ms Glynn said this threat to sand dunes was identified as a significant environmental issue by the local community in the Barwon Coast Coastal Management and Beach Usage Report released in October this year.

The majority of research participants said they were concerned over sand dune degradation from children playing in and sliding down the dunes, partying in the dunes and dogs off leash running through the dunes”.

“Our sand dunes are already under natural pressures from the influences of the tides and weather,” she said.

“These pressures are compounded further through the inappropriate actions of some recreating in the dunes.

“If we continue to treat the dunes with disrespect, we stand to not only lose our beach access, but lose our beaches as well.”

Ms Glynn said Barwon Coast was hoping to reduce people entering sand dunes through creating as much awareness as possible of this environmental issue through the ‘How Deep Are Your Pockets’ campaign.

Information on the campaign has been recently sent to all local schools, Surfing Victoria and Surf Life Saving Clubs to help further educate the community.

“We would like all locals and visitors to the Barwon Coast area to Share Our Shores and stay off the dunes,” she said.

The cost of penalties – lighting of fires $19,000, litter $9,500, vegetation destruction $3,170, disturbing wildlife $3,170, drunk and disorderly $800, illegal fireworks $500, and alcohol in a public place $300.