The winners of the 2017 Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence have been announced.

Recognising achievement in coastal planning and management, the awards from the WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage acknowledges the management and protection of the state's coast and marine environment. 

The 2017 categories included Coastal Champion, Community Group, Local Government, On-Ground Coastal Management, Coastal Planning Initiative, and Coastal Development/Design/Tourism Initiative. 

Among the winners was South West and Peel Coastal Management Group (CoastSWaP), who received the award for Community Group. The organisation was set up in 1990, and has since been helping local coastal managers share information and overcome common coastal management problems throughout the south-west region of Western Australia. CoastSWaP were also awarded a special commendation for the Coastal Champion award.

“The dynamic nature of the coast poses ongoing challenges for its care and protection. These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals, community groups, schools, government agencies and other organisations that protect and manage our unique coast,” reads a statement from the awards program.

“The achievements involve volunteer programs, management of weeds, foreshore rehabilitation and revegetation, raising community awareness of coastal hazard risks, eco-tourism and conservation focused on the sustainable use of the coastline.”

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti announced the winners at a ceremony held in Perth on Monday 28 August.

View all the winners below:

COASTAL CHAMPION AWARD

WINNER

Dr Marjorie Apthorpe - Friends of North Ocean Reef–Iluka Foreshore

COMMENDATION

  • South West and Peel Coastal Management Group (CoastSWaP)

COMMUNITY GROUP AWARD

WINNER

South West and Peel Coastal Management Group (CoastSWaP)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARD

WINNER

City of Joondalup

COMMENDATION

  • City of Cockburn

ON-GROUND COASTAL MANAGEMENT AWARD

WINNER

Batavia Coast Maritime Institute

COMMENDATION

  • Shire of Northampton

COASTAL PLANNING AWARD

WINNER

Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance

COMENDATION

  • South West Catchments Council

COASTAL DEVELOPMENT/DESIGN/TOURISM INITIATIVE AWARD

COMMENDATION

  • City of Karratha

INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AWARD

WINNER

Woodside Energy/Conservation Volunteers Australia