Nominations have opened for the 2009 Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence.

Planning Minister John Day said the awards recognised people who played an active role in the management and protection of the coast and marine life in Western Australia.

“WA boasts some of the most beautiful and pristine stretches of coastline, a natural asset which attracts thousands of visitors every year,” Mr Day said.

“The awards acknowledge the remarkable contribution thousands of people make towards our coast line.

“Without these efforts many important coastal rehabilitation and marine conservation projects may never have begun.”

The Minister said the awards provided the community with the opportunity to honour the State’s leading contributors to coastal management and protection.

“Entering the awards is a great way to showcase strengths, abilities and achievements to the wider community of the many worthy people who protect WA’s coastline,” he said.

The winners will be announced as part of the State Coastal Conference to be held in October 2009.

The awards are a biennial event and part of the Coastwest program co-ordinated by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure and the WA Planning Commission.

The awards are open to community groups, individuals, organisations, government agencies and local governments within WA.

The categories for 2009 are:

1. Individual contribution - awarded to an individual in recognition of their significant contribution to the protection and/or management of WA’s coast/marine environment. 
   
   
2. Community group effort - awarded to a community group that has made a significant contribution to the improvement of the local coastal/marine environment.
   
   
3. Coastal partnership - awarded to a successful partnership between two or more parties for coastal/marine planning and/or management. 
   
   
4. Coastal culture - awarded to a cultural initiative or artistic project that celebrates Western Australians’ connection to the coast.
   
   
5. Coastal planning and/or management - awarded for development of an outstanding coastal planning initiative, policy, plan, scheme or strategy that promotes protection, management and enhancement of WA’s coastal/marine environment.
   
   
6. Coastal/marine research or education - awarded for a research or educational initiative that has contributed to improvement in understanding and knowledge of WA’s coastal/marine environment.
   
   
7. Coastal development/design - awarded for an outstanding coastal development, built facility, infrastructure or coastal design project that demonstrates sustainable design principles.
   
   
8. Coastal protection and conservation - awarded to a project or program for the conservation and protection of marine/coastal species and ecosystems in WA.
   

Nomination forms can be found on the WAPC website http://www.planning.wa.gov.au or by calling the Department for Planning and Infrastructure on 9264 7777.

Nominations for the awards close at 5pm on Friday, July 10.

Minister's office  - 9213 6600

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