Pearl Beach is second cleanest

Pearl Beach has been announced runner-up in its category in the Keep Australia Beautiful, Australian Clean Beaches Awards, coming second to Tallebudgera Beach in Queensland.

The awards were announced on Friday, May 6, in South Australia and were hosted in association with last year's national winner, South Port Beach, Noarlunga.

"Pearl Beach is a small, environmentally aware community that takes takes pride in maintaining a shady, litter-free beach environment for their community and visitors," said judge Dr David Moy.

"The local community is very active in maintaining their unique Australian arboretum.

"The local arts and craft group is also active in patchwork quilting.

"It represents an ongoing contribution to the local history and culture of the area.

"The beach and the bush environment are greatly valued at Pearl Beach and Gosford Council provides assistance to Dune Care, Bush Care and the local community when it is needed to help keep the beach and local area clean.

"The water care group collects samples of water from local streams to assist council maintain the health of Pearl Beach," Dr Moy said.

Keep Australia Beautiful chairman Mr Don Chambers said: "Climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, on top of other human and environmental stresses, could see many of our coastal systems pushed beyond their tipping point so that the landforms and ecosystems no longer function as they should.

"The Clean Beaches Awards and their participants provide great examples of what individuals and their communities can achieve in protecting and improving the coastal environment by working together sustainably."

Pearl Beach was entered in the Community Partnerships and Action and Heritage and Culture category of the awards.

Media Release, 6 May 2011 Marie Nicolas, Keep Australia Beautiful NSW