DOUGLAS Shire Council is developing Foreshore Management Plans for Wonga Beach, Newell Beach, Cooya Beach, Four Mile Beach and Oak Beach.
What is a Foreshore Management Plan?
A Foreshore Management Plan (FMP) is designed to guide the management of foreshore zones within the Douglas Shire.
The plan will be developed to better identify how the foreshore zone can be managed to maintain the natural character of the area, as well as protecting the environmental, cultural, recreational and social values of the foreshore.
The plan will inform dune protection, including weed species for removal, native vegetation species for regeneration, and pedestrian and vehicle access management.
The Douglas plans will identify how the foreshore area can be managed to maintain the natural character of the area, as well as protecting the cultural, environmental, recreational and social values.
The Foreshore Management Plans will contain, among other things:
- Description of the vegetation types
- Description of fauna found along the foreshore
- Weed species list
- Audit of beach access points – formal and informal
- Dune protection activities such as revegetation and recommended plant species
- Maps which clearly define access points to the beach and priority area for revegetation.
The foreshore area includes the area from the highest astronomical tide inland to the edge of either a road reserve or residential property boundary (whichever is closest).
A collaborative process
Douglas Shire Council values the feedback provided by the community and stakeholders, so is asking the community to complete a 5-10 minute survey to provide your perspectives on:
How you use the coast and foreshore zones in your area?
What you value about the foreshore?
Your experiences of impacts
Your memories and knowledge of how the foreshore area has changed over time
Your responses are anonymous and you can withdraw at any time.
Your responses will help inform the development of the foreshore management plan.
Foreshore management plans are integral tools to ensure open foreshore areas are managed for the benefit of the community, while making best use of ratepayers’ funds. These plans consider how the foreshore is used by the community and provide actions to maintain, develop and sustainably manage the areas.
[…] coastal dune rehabilitation project will help Council protect its sensitive foreshore vegetation,” she […]