Today Umina Community Group announces that it has received a grant of $55,000 from Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme to stabilise and repair the incipient dunes and the foredunes between Ettalong Point and the Umina Beach Surf Lifesaving Club.
Lucy Wicks MP, Landcare, South Street Bushcare, Gosford City Council and UCG representatives inspect the Umina Dunes as part of the Grant announcement.
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said it was great to see funding being delivered for this important project on the Peninsula.
“The Australian Government is investing $2 billion over four years in managing natural resources, enabling communities to take practical action. This includes $55,000 for this project here on the Central Coast,” Mrs Wicks said.
“The Landcare Programme is designed to be simple, local, long term and targeting on-ground works. It’s about putting community groups back at the centre of regional land management, to develop the most effective ways to manage and protect our precious natural assets.”
“Much of the coast took a battering in the recent storms, making this sand dune restoration project even more vital. It’s great to see that through the Umina Community Group, and engagement with the schools and the Surf Clubs the local community is coming on board and working hard on this restoration.”
Funding will be used to employ approved local contractors to remove weed infestation and dumped rubbish from the dunes. Three local volunteer groups will work with the contractors and follow up with revegetation by planting local native species including Spinifex grass, Pigface, and Coastal Wattles.
Umina Community Group spokesman, Tony Winch said “ This is exciting news for Umina Beach and for the environment. The dunes are in a very poor state and the ecosystem has been severely damaged by the infestation of noxious weeds including Bitou Bush, Lantana, Turkey Rhubarb, and Asparagus Fern, and they are littered with rubbish. We aim to clean up the dunes over the next 24 months under the supervision and leadership of the Gosford City Council’s Bushcare program. Three local volunteer groups will be involved, the South Street Bushcare group, the Peninsula Dunecare group, and the newly established Umina Community Dunecare Group “
“Gosford City Council congratulates the Umina Community Group on receiving this grant from Local Land Services to work with the local community to improve the condition of dune vegetation at Umina Beach,” Council’s Manager of Culture Phil Cantillon said.
“The storm in April and subsequent beach erosion has been a reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy dune vegetation. The work of the Umina Community Group and the Bushcare groups at Umina is an excellent example of the community and Council working together to improve the local environment.”
Local residents are invited to a public information evening to be held at 7 PM on the 23rd of July at the Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Following this initial open night there will be engagement with Schools, clubs, and community organizations.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer would be welcome and should contact Umina Community Group,