(0) Items in cart | Check out |
Customer / Members Login
| Home |  |
About the Club | |
Lifesaving and Education | |
Membership | |
Surf Sports | |
Nippers | |
Event calendar | |
Club and Members Information | |
Shop | |
Contact Us |
| Quick Links | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shop | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Books & Manuals | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Donations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment for Sale | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Membership | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Uniforms | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gallery Highlights | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Site Search | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Product Search | ||||||||||||||||||||
| What's on Special | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Newsletter Subscription | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Environment Plan
The Newport Beach S.L.S.C Environment Plan
February 2008
NEWPORT BEACH S.L.S.C. ENVIRONMENT PLAN VISION
Newport Surf Life Saving Club (S.L.S.C) is an active participant in the cooperative
network of community organisations that promote environmental
stewardship in the protection of Newport Beach's ecologically sensitive coastal
environment.
MISSION
Newport S.L.S.C is committed to the ecologically sustainable use of the coastal
environment. The Club will demonstrate this commitment though the
promotion of environmentally sustainable practices and community awareness
raising of environmental issues to ensure the ecologically sustainable use of
coastal resources.
PREAMBLE
The Newport SLSC is committing resources to the development of an
Environment Plan for Newport Beach. Currently Pittwater Council has
responsibility for managing the litter on the beach, barbecue, parking, pool,
headland and dune reclamation areas, with the latter ably assisted by
community groups. To the credit of Pittwater Council it does this job well but
does so virtually single handedly with little assistance from the resident Surf
Club.
Newport Beach is becoming an increasingly popular destination, particularly in
summer. This demand for recreation space, as well as the presence of two
major storm water outfalls, makes the challenge of managing beach litter a
difficult one for Pittwater Council and its staff.
Newport S.L.S.C would like to partner with Pittwater Council to action many
elements in this encompassing Environment Plan. This partnership would allow
the Surf Club to use its considerable resources to develop and implement
environmental initiatives that complement and build upon existing programs
conducted by Pittwater Council. This initiative will also encourage the broader
community to assist with the important and worthwhile task of maintaining a
clean beach.
This is a quantum shift for over 900 members of the Newport S.L.S.C. It is
recognition that the Club and its activities are dependent on the condition of
the beach, dunes, headlands tidal zone and public areas. There are few things
that the Surf Club has failed to achieve in recent years, including the title of
"The Most Outstanding Club In 2007". It is with this level of dedication and
achievement that the Club now directs its energies to the initiatives within this
Environment Plan. The Club recognises that while its primary task is to
maintain a safe beach for its members and the visiting public it has sufficient
resources to help clean the beach and assist with the preservation of its unique
biodiversity.
ACTION PLAN
The Newport S.L.S.C. environmental initiatives are as follows:
1. Incorporate a coastal education unit into the Newport Nipper
program;
This will expose Nippers to, and improve their understanding of, the biological
diversity of the coastal intertidal zone. This program was trialed in 2007 with
the Nippers as a component of their existing activities. The educational unit will
be compiled by the Coastal Environment Centre and will be conducted by the
age managers. The S.L.S.C believes that Nippers will make better
environmental custodians if given the appropriate skills to manage the
environment.
2. Recycling bins to be deployed throughout the beach;
The Club proposes to work with Pittwater Council and local schools to design a
highly visible recycling bin system that caters for the summer demand. The
three-bin system is a popular one and if adopted would be well sign posted
highlighting that this is one of many environmental initiatives employed by
Pittwater Council and the S.L.S.C.
3. The S.L.S.C and its membership actively contribute to existing dune
and headland regeneration projects;
Currently, there are a number of environment groups active in dune
regeneration. The S.L.S.C recognises the need to contribute to this collective
effort. Additionally, an on-site meeting with Pittwater Council, Coastal
Environment Centre and other active groups would be beneficial to ascertain
how the Club can best use its resources to accelerate the existing regeneration
programs.
4. Clubhouse to install rainwater tanks;
The Club will lodge another application in 2008 for a grant to install two
concrete water tanks to be sunk adjacent to the Club. These tanks will collect
approximately 218,000 litres of rainwater runoff annually, reducing the Clubs
use of potable water by a similar amount. This rainwater collection system will
be made visible with numerous signs highlighting its presence and the benefits
of rainwater collection.
5. Beach litter signs to be displayed on all patrols;
Two signs strategically positioned on all patrols should encourage visitors to
remove and recycle their garbage. The Council may help with the production of
the signs.
6. Voluntary Lifesavers and Lifeguards duties to be amended to
include litter collection;
This additional task will not be at the detriment of their primary duty but would
allow the Lifesavers and Lifeguards collectively to set a positive and visible
example to the community about litter collection. This will encourage the public
to participate in the collection of litter for the benefit of the coastal
environment. In particular, children see Lifeguards as mentors- this is an
opportunity not to be overlooked. If patrols lead by example it is more likely
that the public will follow their example and take up the challenge.
7. Address the pollution generated by the two storm water outfalls;
The two storm water outfalls generate large amounts of gross pollution in the
form of glass bottles, plastics, Styrofoam, cadaver's you name it, its regularly
there! This pollution is unsightly, environmentally damaging and very often
dangerous to the public, most of all it is unnecessary. We would like to hold
discussions with Pittwater Council to see what plans they have for the outfalls
and if gross pollutant traps are the answer.
8. The S.L.S.C to conduct a major community event to raise
awareness and support for these environmental initiatives;
Newport SLSC, in conjunction with Pittwater Council, Coastcare and the
community, will hold a community event at Newport Beach to raise awareness
of the degrading state of the beach and the range of initiatives in this plan for
the sustainable use of the beach for recreation. This event will allow the
community to participate in activities, including dune regeneration, native tree
plantings and rubbish removal. These events will tie in with other
environmental initiatives, including Coastcare Week, Clean up Australia Day and
others.
9. The Club will actively participate in annual environmental
competitions;
Competitions like the "2007 Clean Beach Challenge" keep the Club active and
environmentally innovative, necessary ingredient in stimulating the enthusiasm
of Club members and hopefully helping the club maintain its environmental
credentials. Newport SLSC will utilise these opportunities for promoting actions
within this plan.
10. Clubhouse to be environmentally compliant;
With the Club promoting an environmental plan it is vital the Clubhouse be
compliant and be seen by the public to be so. With the Clubhouse currently
undergoing renovation the Building Committee has taken the opportunity to
incorporated long life light fittings and three star efficient water fittings.
Additionally the Club will adopt rigorous recycling practices for all waste it
generates.
11. The SLSC will seek funding opportunities for major initiatives
through its partnerships
The S.L.S.C will use its partnership with Pittwater Council, Coastcare groups
and the community to apply for funding assistance from major Government
and non-Government grant programs, including Envirofund, Climate Change
Fund, Landcare Australia, Greening Australia and others. The successful receipt
of these grant funds will allow the S.L.S.C to complete many of these
environmental initiatives, including holding a major community event,
establishing recycling bins and beach litter signs and installing gross pollutant
traps.
12. The installation of a grey water system;
The Club will pursue this initiative after the rainwater system has been
installed. The merit of the grey water system is that it further reduces potable
water consumption and is consistent with the Clubs holistic environment plan.
13. Clubhouse to reduce its dependence on grid power;
The Club seeks to reduce its environmental footprint where possible. This can
be achieved with the installation of a solar and or wind turbine system. This
initiative is dependent on both Council approval and funding via sponsorship.
14. Installation of bicycle racks.
Encouraging the use of bicycles in and around the beach environment reduces
noise and air pollution and traffic congestion. This can be funded by
sponsorship.
BENEFITS
The Surf Club compiled this environment plan in 2008 as a holistic approach,
committing the clubs resources to the better protection of the coastal zone of
Newport Beach.
The benefits of this plan are many, including:
1. Improved protection of the coastal ecosystem
2. Encouraging the sustainable use of the beach for recreation
3. Reduction in rubbish and pollution at the beach
4. Improved understanding of the coastal zone and the need to manage it
in a sustainable manner by Nippers
5. Increase in energy and water efficiency of the Newport SLSC Clubhouse;
and
6. Greater participation by the general community in beach maintenance.
CONCLUSION
The Newport SLSC has been fortunate in recent years to see its membership
grow rapidly in unison with its strong performance at carnivals. As a result, the
Club has a vibrant and active membership that is proud of its beach and Club
facilities. It has become clear to the Club and its members that we need to take
a far more active role with the Council and other active environment groups to
protect an asset that is immensely valuable to us and the many families that
visit Newport Beach.
Mr Doug Menzies
Club President
| Home | About the Club | Lifesaving and Education | Membership | Surf Sports | Nippers | Event Calendar | Club and Membership Information | Shop | Contact Us | ||||||||||||||||||
| Terms of Use | Privacy | Disclaimer | Links | Sponsors | Trades & Services | Feedback | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
