News

This page contains news about current issues and activities, plus minutes of our Annual General Meetings. Download the meeting minutes here:

MRCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023

MRCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022

MRCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021

MRCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020

MRCRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019

Volunteer weeding work is continuing on the dunes – March 2024

Here’s our dedicated team of 11 local volunteers enjoying morning tea after weeding Euphorbia Paralias on the coastal dunes south of Gas Bay (28 March 2024).

Coastal Rehabilitation Busy Bee – Gas Bay – May 2023

We had a very successful community planting/brushing morning at Gas Bay on 7 May 2023 – we planted around 300 coastal plants and covered them with brush to help them grow in the bare patches on the dunes above the beach, Thanks to all the volunteers who turned up despite the threat of rain and thanks to the Shire for all the peppermint tree brushes!

April 2023 – read how the world’s best surfers are caring for our coast here and here.

Volunteer Work 2023

Our volunteers have been very busy removing the invasive weed Euphorbia Paralias from our beaches – see the photo here.

Annual General Meeting – November 13, 2022

The 2022 Annual General Meeting for the Margaret River Coastal Residents Association Inc. was held at the Chapel Hall, Prevelly on Sunday, November 13, 2022 from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.

Shorebird Nesting

Spring 2022 saw hooded and red capped plovers nesting on various beaches around Gnarabup. Please remember to keep your dogs on a lead and walk lower down the beach to avoid disturbing the chicks. Pictures are on our Photos page.

Slowdown and Save Our Wildlife!

We are saddened by unnecessary deaths of native animals on our roads. We recently saw a ringtail possum which had been killed by a car in Gnarabup – the photos are on our Photos page. So please slow down, especially at night. The life you save could be your own as well!

Gnarabup “Adopt a Spot” Dune Brushing May 2021

Margaret River Montessori School students from Years 4, 5 and 6 were out on the Gnarabup dunes in May caring for their adopted spot. With the help of volunteers Janet and Genny from the Margaret River Coastal Residents Association (MRCRA), the students planted pigface and laid brush to stop dune erosion and promote natural regeneration.

Click here to see the video of their activities.

Grunters Beach Dune Brushing April 2021

Trainee Indigenous Rangers worked at Grunters brushing and planting on the 22nd and 29th of April 2021. They worked alongside the usual Thursday group of volunteers rehabilitating the Grunters area, which has become badly eroded. Large amounts of brush were added to sandy area in the dunes to help the native coastal plants grow back.

See the photos on our Photos page.

Rivermouth Dune Brushing December 2020

Thanks to all the children from St Thomas More Catholic Primary School for their efforts in dune brushing at Rivermouth on 8 December 2020! See the photos on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MRCRA99/

Grunters Beach Coastal Restoration Video

Volunteers from local Margaret River businesses and the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce and Industry helped out with coastal restoration activities at Grunters Beach on 19 November 2020 – see the video here.

The coastal restoration program is being undertaken by MRCRA in collaboration with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Nature Conservation Margaret River Region. This work is generously supported by Coastwest Grants and Line in the Sand Philanthropic Group.

Video Credit @mark_jackman_edits.

Bike to Beach – October 2020

The MRCRA ran this successful event to promote cycling at Gnarabup – thanks to a grant from the Department of Transport and West Cycle! 88 riders cycled to Gnarabup and enjoyed their free coffee/hot chocolate from the White Elephant Cafe. Many also took advantage of the free bike safety checks provided by Guy Pathe of Electric Bikes Margaret River. Here’s the poster for this event…see the photos on our Photos page.

Bike to Beach October 2020

Gnarabup water water plant works – August 2020

Water Corporation is undertaking an environmental site assessment at the Gnarabup Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposed works are scheduled to commence on Monday 24th through to 28th August 2020. These environmental investigations relate to the monitoring of ground water and will assist in informing current and future planning and operations at the plant. A number of bores will be drilled in the dunes and the Corporation’s contractors will traverse the vegetation utilising matting to minimise impacts to vegetation. The details are in the attached Letter of Public Notification for proposed works at Gnarabup WWTP.

2019 Volunteer Work

Thursday mornings throughout the school year a happy band of volunteers meet to care for our magnificent coastal dunes. Activities are weeding, brushing, planting, collecting seed and of course picking up rubbish.

This year we have worked a total of 317 hours on the coast – an amazing amount of voluntary hours – sometimes in inclement weather. Our group is small but very willing – we always finish with coffee/tea, delicious home-made treats and much discussion on solving world and local problems.

We have also been part of the “Adopt a Spot” programme promoted by Nature Conservation with the primary schools in the Shire. The Grade 4 students from the Montessori School have made two visits during the year where they worked on the dunes and learned to care for our coastline and beaches.

Gas Bay was the December site for work – the removal of Euphorbia Paralias or Sea Spurge. The group has worked about half way around the Bay from the south over the last few years. For a larger image, click on the photos below.