More support to protect SA’s coastline
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.
Presiding Member Coast Protection Board, Paul Caica, said this year’s Coast Protection Grants will give six council projects the support they need – from foreshore resilience and seawall remediation to sand replenishment and erosion management – to protect their coastlines.
"We’re also backing three community groups to deliver practical, grassroots projects in partnership with Whyalla, Yorke Peninsula and Yankalilla councils. With climate change amplifying coastal hazards, strong partnerships between government, councils and the community have never been more essential," he 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.
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. For more information on grant recipients and project details, head to: environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/grants-and-opportunities.
