Veteran volunteers have wrapped up two months of service along South Australia’s coastline, after contributing more than 13,000 hours to beach clean-up operations as part of the state’s ongoing response to algal blooms.
More than 240 Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) volunteers from across the country rotated through beach sites from North Haven to Seacliff, collecting around 9,000 kilograms of dead marine life since early September. Much of the material has since been repurposed into commercial compost.
DRA, a not-for-profit organisation formed in 2016, brings together veterans and other skilled volunteers to help communities recover from natural disasters. While the group’s South Australian deployment has now concluded, the organisation said the operation reflected its ability to adapt its expertise to different kinds of environmental challenges.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the volunteers had made an enormous contribution to local efforts. He praised their professionalism and said the handover to new crews would ensure beach cleaning continues through summer.
South Australia’s Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Lucy Hood, also commended the volunteers, saying their work allowed communities and visitors to continue enjoying coastal areas. She said the wider clean-up program would stay in place under the state’s summer plan, supported by ongoing updates on beach conditions through Surf Life Saving’s Beachsafe app.
The Algal Bloom Co-ordination Unit is overseeing the $6.3 million operation, which involves a mix of state staff, private contractors and workers from Goolwa Pipi Co. With the veteran volunteers now preparing for Australia’s upcoming high-risk weather season, an extra 40 temporary staff will step in to maintain the clean-up effort across Adelaide, the Fleurieu Peninsula and parts of Yorke Peninsula.
DRA Head of Operations Anthony Birch described the project as a valuable example of the organisation’s flexibility and commitment to service. “Our volunteers possess the knowledge, skills and experience to operate effectively in any disaster scenario,” he said. “Whether it’s clearing debris, flood recovery or environmental support, the goal remains the same—to serve the community when and where it’s needed most.”
South Australia’s Algal Bloom Co-ordinator, Chris Beattie, said the volunteers’ efforts had set a high standard for those continuing the work. “They’ve been an integral part of our clean-up operations and an inspiration to everyone involved,” he said.
With new crews taking over and the summer plan under way, South Australia’s beaches are expected to remain accessible and safe—a cleaner coastline that now carries the mark of quiet dedication from those who’ve served before.
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