Clean up patrols hit SA beaches

In South Australia, the Federal and state governments are accelerating co-ordinated beach clean up patrols across coastal regions to help councils keep their shorelines clean amid the ongoing algal bloom.

The patrols are being funded through a joint response and recovery package from the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments.

The clean-up effort includes a range of community and industry partners. Disaster Relief Australia is deploying 30 veteran volunteers to assist Adelaide councils with beach monitoring and cleaning, while IPA Rangers from the Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation are patrolling and cleaning priority beaches on the Yorke Peninsula.

Workers from the Goolwa Pipi Company, who were recently laid off due to the algal bloom forcing a halt in pipi harvesting, are now being redeployed to support beach clean-up patrols from the River Murray Mouth to Encounter Bay. Meanwhile, Surf Life Saving SA is backing the effort by providing staging facilities and local beach expertise, helping ensure the clean-up stays closely connected to coastal communities.

Authorities say the coordinated approach will help ease the burden on local councils and speed up recovery along affected shorelines.