OUR COMMITMENT TO ECO SURF

Caring for the Coastal Zone

Commitment to protecting the broader coastal environment.

Raising members' and community awareness of coastal management issues by:

• including elements within lifesaving education programs and activities;
• including elements within junior/nipper education programs and activities;
• becoming involved in environmental award initiatives such as Keep Australia Beautiful's Clean Beach Challenge; and
• encouraging leadership and initiative through environmental activities, especially targeting youth.

Encouraging greater participation in coast protection activities by:

• becoming involved in community action programs such as Landcare, Coastcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Waterwatch, Saltwatch and similar schemes, and
• establishing or partnering a local conservation and/or environment group(s).

Ensuring any environmental impact is minimised through the effective provision and education of surf lifesaving equipment/services by:

• raising awareness of the effects of contaminated/polluted water run off as a result of inappropriate craft/vehicle wash down.

Following guidelines to ensure due environmental protection is a key to the effective management of surf lifesaving events and activities by:

• eliminating competitors from dune areas during surf carnivals;
• providing on beach waste bags for competitors at surf carnivals;
• be aware of sensitive natural beach environments whilst setting up beach patrols and surf carnivals arenas;
• involving local environmental community groups to provide advice, and
• ensuring waste separation facilities are available at large scale club hosted events.

Developing community networks

Commitment to community initiatives and educating the community on responsible ways of using the coastal environment.

Encouraging greater participation in coast protection and management activities by:

• becoming involved in community action programs such as Landcare, Coastcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Waterwatch, Saltwatch and similar schemes;
• becoming involved in environmental award initiatives such as Keep Australia Beautiful's Clean Beach Challenge;
• establishing or joining a local conservation and/or environment group(s);
• establishing (where required), maintaining and protecting wildlife corridors in areas adjacent to clubrooms;
• protecting open space including areas of significant conservation value, eg indigenous sites, endangered plants, etc, coastal vegetation and animals by developing effective management plans;
• protecting and/or restoring culturally significant sites, and
• celebrating culturally significant events/traditions with the local community.

Encouraging 'green clubhouses'

Commitment to caring for our environment by encouraging best environmental practices to be adopted by clubs.

Adopt environmentally friendly/ecologically sustainable practices in facility development and resource recovery by:

• Introducing ecologically sustainable construction/development principles in any clubhouse construction/redevelopment/demolition projects.

These may include use of natural lighting, renewable energy us, eg, solar and/or wind, water conservation and resource recovery approaches through recycling and reuse and may include:

• water minimisation practices and/or devices, eg automatic shut-off taps on toilets and showers, installing water saving showerheads;
• energy efficiency initiatives including smart building design, use of energy efficient building products, self-generated electricity/heating projects (eg photo-voltaic cells), and
• energy minimisation practices and/or devices, eg long-life light globes, solar-heated/powered facilities or services, automatic light shut-off sensor switches.

Working in partnership with all levels of government to enable local environment improvement approaches regarding:

• appropriate disposal of non-recyclable materials;
• adequate, well placed litter bins in public parks/areas adjacent to clubhouse;
• adequate, well placed recycling bins/facilities;
• appropriate directional signs to litter bins, recycling facilities and/or services;
• frequent and adequate collection from litter bins and recycling bins;
• litter education and awareness programs, or signs;
• provision of dog-litter bags and disposal facilities;
• cigarette butt disposal facilities;
• regular clean-up activities of beach and surrounding areas;
• litter awareness signs, particularly at entries and exits for community use, and
• recovery and reuse of resources such as green materials, glass, paper, cardboard, aluminium, plastic and oil.

Protecting coastal habitats and wildlife

Commitment to protecting the diversity of natural coastal habitats and Marine Protected Areas (MPA's).

Encouraging greater participation in coast protection and management activities by:

• becoming involved in community action programs such as Landcare, Coastcare, Bushcare, Dunecare, Waterwatch, Saltwatch and similar schemes;
• establishing or joining a local conservation and/or environment group(s);
• establishing (where required), maintaining and protecting wildlife corridors in areas adjacent to clubrooms;
• protecting open space including areas of significant conservation value, eg indigenous sites, endangered plants, etc, coastal vegetation and animals by developing effective management plans, in partnership with local government and/or local environmental group;
• recognising local native wildlife and habitats to ensure effective protection and conservation;
• actively encouraging the use of designated beach access tracks to minimise disturbance to other areas surrounding clubhouses, and
• utilising local native plants for landscaping around clubhouses to help protect the integrity of the coastal habitat, reduce water use and setting an example to the broader community;
• Avoid choosing plants that may become environmental weeds in the coastal environment.