Eyes on coastal camping
More than 1,000 hectares of Eyre Peninsula key coastal environmental areas under threat of increased degradation, have been restored under a collaborative five-year project.
Undertaken during the past five years, the Eyes on Eyre project has seen restoration works focused on fencing, track rationalisation, revegetation and campsite management.
Eyes on Eyre is an initiative between the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula, the Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association and the Department for Environment and Water.
The project has allowed local councils to implement sustainable management of key coastal camping areas including:
- Lipson Cove
- Perlubie Beach
- Tractor Beach
- Redbanks
- Fitzgerald Bay
- Point Gibbon
- Farm Beach
- Frenchman’s
- Greenly Beach
- Sheringa Beach and
- Talia Caves.
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board Operations Manager Seb Drewer says the project has achieved significant coastal improvements.
“This project has enabled local councils to provide much-needed protection and enhancement of Eyre Peninsula’s stunning coastal environment,” Mr Drewer says.
“The sustainable management of our coastal environment, especially in the face of climate change, is vital for the survival of threatened ecosystems and species, and in underpinning the growth of our regional communities, our economy, wellbeing and way of life.
“With track rationalisation, campsite formalisation, revegetation, pest control, fencing, waste and water management, and educational signage installed, we’ve seen how our local environment can be protected from increasing tourism pressure while providing a better visitor experience.”
The Eyes on Eyre initiative was successful in receiving $710,000 of funding in 2022 from the State Government Landscape Priority Fund for on-ground works, in addition to a $500,000 Parks 2025 grant that was obtained by Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula to undertake campground infrastructure to support the introduction of an online booking system.
Eyre Peninsula Local Government Association President Mayor Dean Johnson says Eyes on Eyre demonstrates the value of councils and regional partners working together.
"Managing popular coastal campsites can place significant pressure on councils with small ratepayer bases and extensive infrastructure responsibilities,” Mayor Johnson says.
“Eyes on Eyre has helped councils make practical improvements that protect our sensitive local environment and provide a better camping experience for visitors to our region.
“This partnership shows what we can achieve by working together across council boundaries and combining local knowledge with regional expertise and government investment."
Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula CEO Ryan Viney has also applauded the success of this initiative.
“Eyes on Eyre has been a highly successful initiative, and clearly demonstrates the power of a collaborative approach to regional challenges,” Mr Viney says.
The Eyes on Eyre project is now in the finishing stages, with a total of seven Eyre Peninsula councils accessing funding for local campsite improvements.
