Editorial Life's A Beach - So Let's Keep It That Way

Illawarra Mercury

Monday December 22, 2008

OUR region is blessed with a bountiful array of beautiful natural assets.

None play a more important role than our beaches in supporting the lifestyle of those who call the Illawarra home or attracting tens of thousands of visitors here each year.

They are the brightest jewels in the Illawarra crown.

In this context, some of the results from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change's annual state of the beaches report are of concern and a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our marine environment.

The report found 13 of the 18 beaches studied recorded 100 per cent compliance with pollution standards based on bacterial contamination- a drop of four beaches on last year's report.

The worst performer was the small beach at the entrance to Lake Illawarra where bacteria levels complied with guidelines only 57 per cent of the time.

One the reasons being put forward for the poorer performance of some of our beaches was the wettest 2007-08 summer across NSW in 24 years resulting in higher-than-normal stormwater and sewage overflows.

On a more positive note, the report concluded that the Illawarra has some of the cleanest beaches in the state.

Keeping them pristine for future generations will ultimately prove to be the biggest challenge.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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