Clean sweep for Jurien Bay beach

• Jurien Bay Town Beach named WA's cleanest beach

• Awards recognise care, protection and management of coastal regions

Environment Minister Bill Marmion has congratulated the community of Jurien Bay after the town's beach was this morning named the State winner of the 2012 Clean Beaches awards.

The competition, organised by Keep Australia Beautiful WA and Surf Life Saving WA, encourages care, protection and management of Western Australia's coastal regions.

Mr Marmion said Jurien Bay Town Beach won because of the enormous community effort that had gone into the improvement and protection of the beach.

"In addition to the community raising half the funds to construct a new jetty, the Jurien Bay Progress Association conducts beach clean-ups and works with local businesses to minimise plastic bag usage in order to reduce litter on the beach," he said.

"With a predicted population growth of 150 per cent over the next 15 years, work is being done to protect Jurien Bay Town Beach from future pressures and provide amenities at the beach to service a much larger population."

As well as winning the overall title, Jurien Bay also took out the Community Action and Litter Prevention awards.  Binningup Beach, north of Bunbury, received a high commendation for Community Action.  Sorrento Beach picked up the Friendly Beach award and Geraldton's Drummond Cove earned the Environmental Protection award. The Resource Management award went to Lucky Bay in Esperance.

The Minister thanked the nominated coastal communities for their tireless efforts and commitment to a cleaner coast for WA.

"Keeping our beaches clean and healthy for the benefit of the environment and everyone who frequents our beaches takes commitment from community groups, individuals and organisations," he said.

"The State Government is proud to assist with initiatives that aim to enhance and maintain our coastal environment."

      Fact File

• There were 26 nominations from 9 beaches in this year's awards

• Beaches were nominated from the Pilbara, Mid-West, Perth metropolitan area & South Coast

• Department of Environment and Conservation provides administrative & policy support to the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (WA). The program is supported by the Waste Authority through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account

Minister's office - 6552 6800

Photo caption: Environment Minister Bill Marmion and KABC chair Mel Hay with Mike and Jean Sheppard from the Jurien Bay Progress Association