Yorke Peninsula Council has been working to rehabilitate the dunes at Flaherty’s Beach since 2002.

After consulting with affected landowners and with the help of Prince Alfred College students, Council has been working hard to restore and protect the precious coastline.

“Flaherty’s Beach is a coastal gem on Yorke Peninsula and has been ranked as the fourth best beach in Australia,” Environment Officer Letitia Dahl-helm said.

“Unfortunately, increased popularity and visitation along with off-road vehicles straying from the beach has led to severe dune degradation.

“The result has been damage to both Council land and private property.”

In response, Council’s Coastal Management Strategy was put into action.

The resulting work included a full-length survey of Flaherty’s Beach, identifying the most vulnerable areas.

“To bring this plan to life, we partnered with Prince Alfred College and each term, Year 9 students volunteer their time to restore the dunes.”

Students stay at the Yorke Peninsula-based PAC Wambana Campus for five weeks each term, and participate in community service projects including dune restoration.

“Thanks to the combined efforts of our community and the dedication of PAC students, Flaherty’s Beach is on the path to recovery, ensuring this natural treasure can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Mrs Dalh-Helm said.

The dunes are the natural defence against storm events and the erosive power of wave action, Mrs Dahl-Helm said.

“They protect inland areas from sea water inundation, and they are also culturally significant for Nharangga dhura (Narungga people),” she said.

“Vegetation keeps the sand in place – once you lose vegetation, the wind will shift sand, creating sand drift and blow-outs which are costly and difficult to rehabilitate.

“It is very important that vegetation is conserved and protected for these reasons, as sand drift can increase exponentially and place assets such as roads and agricultural land at risk.”

To find out more about Council’s Coastal Management Strategy visit www.yorke.sa.gov.au/environment/coast/coastal-management-strategy.