Kids send a message on protecting dunes at gap

Jane Emerick
Surf Coast’s foreshore manager yesterday thanked school children for their work on a controversial revegetation project at Torquay’s White’s Gap.
The children displayed artwork with environmental messages about protecting sand dunes during the ceremony at the gap.
Residents on The Esplanade have criticised Great Ocean Road Coast Committee for using around 200 school children as “free labour” to carry out work on the project.
The residents fear the environmental work will eventually block their views and threaten flooding of their homes.
The residents have threatened to take legal action for loss of value to their homes.
Coast committee executive officer David Clarke yesterday praised the children’s work on the project at “White’s Cut”.
“We’re focusing on the work of the school children,” he said.
“The school kids have done a great job and their posters are fantastic.”
Students from Torquay Primary School displayed posters with messages such as ‘Please do not climb on sand dunes’ and ‘Don’t hurt the plants cause they’re what hold the sand dunes together’.