Robe project gets government cash injection

ROBE District Council is one of six South Australian coastal councils and three community groups will share in more than $1.2 million to help protect and manage the state’s coastline.

The latest round of the Coast Protection Board’s two grant programs has been delivered, enabling recipients to carry out vital works with a strong regional focus.

The Coast Protection Grants Program provides support for councils to repair, restore and sustain the state’s coastline and address climate change risks.

Projects awarded $1.2 million in funding include building foreshore and coastal protection structures, studies to assess hazards, beach replenishment and improving water quality and marine life.

Support provided will unlock nearly $5 million in protection measures across the state’s coastline, which stretches more than 5,000 kilometres.

Robe Council will use its $235,000 grant to install geotextile sandbags at Fox Beach, followed by targeted sand replenishment – helping to protect vulnerable sections of coastline that have experienced storm damage while building long-term resilience.

District Council of Robe – Director Infrastructure & Operations Dave Worthley said Fox Beach was a known high-risk area identified in Council’s Coastal Adaptation Strategy, and the support from the Coast Protection Board will ensure Council can implement these priority works.

“The site sits within an important network of walking paths, beach access points, road infrastructure and foreshore amenities, and this investment will help protect public assets, maintain safe access, and ensure the area can continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors into the future,” he said.

South Australian Environment Minister Lucy Hood said they’ve seen how passionate South Australians are about our coastline and these grants support a range of projects to ensure that passion is turned into action.

“Funding provided helps councils and local community groups carry out vital work to preserve their stretch of coastline and manage risks now and into the future,” Minister Hood said. “Strengthening resilience along our coast amid a changing climate supports the safety and enjoyment of residents and visitors, along with our regional economies.”

The Coast Protection Board’s functions are to carry out research or to contribute to the protection, restoration or development of South Australia’s coast.

Presiding Member Coast Protection Board Paul Caica said this year’s Coast Protection Grants would give six council projects the support they need – from foreshore resilience and seawall remediation to sand replenishment and erosion management – to protect their coastlines.

“With climate change amplifying coastal hazards, strong partnerships between government, councils and the community have never been more essential,” Mr Caica said.

The Community Participation Grants Program supports not-for-profit organisations and volunteer groups to partner with councils and undertake small-scale coastal management projects or education initiatives.

Around $20,000 was delivered under this program with projects to be carried out alongside Whyalla, Yorke Peninsula and Yankalilla councils

Recipients include Divers for Climate and their project to activate regional tourism, the Edithburgh and Wool Bay Jetties Marine Watch supporting marine ecosystems and the Carrickalinga Community Association for dune restoration work.

For more information on grant recipients and project details, head to: environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/grants-and-opportunities.