Tathra named NSW Clean Beach winner

Tathra Beach on the NSW far south coast was declared the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) Overall NSW Clean Beach Winner, as part of the 2007 Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) NSW Clean Beach Challenge.

KAB CEO Peter McLean announced that Tathra Beach is the pearl of the state's coastline and is the deserving winner of the DECC 2007 State Overall Clean Beach Award.

Mr McLean explained that community involvement and multi-stakeholder partnerships have positively contributed to the extensive bush regeneration and dune restoration along Tathra Beach.

"The proactive and environmentally friendly surf club not only ensures Tathra Beach is safe and inviting to visitors but also makes sure that this beach is well kept for people to enjoy forever," Mr McLean said.

In its seventh year, the KAB NSW Clean Beach Challenge encourages and recognises coastal communities, local councils, volunteers and surf life saving clubs that focus on anti-litter initiatives, dune and habitat conservation, environmental education [programs and initiatives that enhance beach visitors' experiences and protect the coastline.

DECC warmly congratulates the Tathra community on winning the Overall Clean Beach Award. Tathra was one of 115 beaches that entered the 2007 Clean Beach Challenge, which is proudly sponsored by DECC as part of a commitment to maintaining a healthy NSW coastline.

DECC's Beachwatch and Harbourwatch programs routinely monitor the water quality of 130 beaches across the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra regions. A partnership program with 12 local councils monitors pollution levels at a further 150 sites from Ballina on the north coast to Bega on the south coast.

For more information:

• KAB NSW website
• DECC website