“How Deep Are Your Pockets?” campaign shows encouraging results

A RECENT report shows that destructive activities such as littering, disturbing wildlife and unauthorised lighting of fires have decreased on the Barwon Coast sand dunes.

Barwon Coast see their “How Deep Are Your Pockets?” campaign as being integral to this change.

The campaign was launched in 2018 and is running once more this summer.

It aims to educate the community on the fines they could receive from causing damage to the coastline.

Barwon Coast community liaison and education manager Maddie Glynn said the campaign made the coast a healthier and safer place.

“Inappropriate activities such as playing in the dunes, climbing the face of the dunes or simply allowing your dog to roam through the sand dunes not only leads to significant

environmental damage, but pose risks to your own safety.”

The campaign has seen the cooperation of Barwon Coast, City of Greater Geelong, Country Fire Authority (CFA), the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and Victoria Police.

Victoria Police Sergeant Shane Connolly said all the different groups were eager to contribute to protecting the coast.

“We are all committed to keeping our dunes safe and pristine – that is why you can be fined for a range of misdemeanours including lighting fires, littering, deliberately

destroying vegetation and disturbing wildlife. We will not hesitate to issue a fine if we determine an illegal activity has occurred.”

The CFA have noted that among the improvements, the number of reported grass and scrub fires in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove dropped by one third in 2019 compared to 2018.

Fine amounts can change without notice, but fees for destructive activities on the dunes are as follows:

Lighting fires – $19,000

Littering – $9,500

Vegetation destruction – $3,170

Disturbing wildlife – $3,170

Drunk and disorderly – $800

Illegal fireworks – $500

Consuming alcohol in a public place – $300.

Ms Glynn asked for the community to help keep the coast healthy.

“Should you see inappropriate activities taking place, please notify one of the project partners. Together we can make a difference.”