The Southern Coastcare Association of Tasmania (SCAT) is an innovative leader of coastal action, uniting Coastcare groups across southern Tasmania, and the first organisation of its type in Australia.

SCAT is a non profit organisation established by volunteers, for volunteers. SCAT represents about 40 groups in southern Tasmania from Dover to Swansea to Port Arthur.

SCAT supports Coastcare groups and volunteers by providing opportunities and resources for engagement in coastal management and by encouraging coastal stakeholders to work with local communities.

SCAT maintains the profile of Coastcare through events and media attention and raises awareness of coastal issues with the broader community.

SCAT provides recognition for the vital role community volunteers play in protecting our coastlines. SCAT fosters a regional network of coastal stakeholders that encourages collaboration and holistic coastal management outcomes.

SCAT goals include: 

• Creating linkages between Coastcare groups
• Fostering regional coastal management outcomes
• Promoting Coastcare and coastal issues
• Creating partnerships among Government and other environmental organisations
• Providing a voice for Coastcare groups and volunteers in southern Tasmania.

SCAT secured funding through the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country Program to engage a part-time Facilitator during 2009-10 to assist groups with planning their activities and seeking funding and support from other coastal stakeholders.

SCAT has been able to draw on the experience and perspectives of our many members to provide comprehensive input into the NRM South strategy, the Natural Heritage Trust Advisory Council, the State Coastal Policy and the Ralphs Bay Hearings with the Tasmanian Planning Commission (formerly the Resource Planning and Development Commission).

SCAT’s innovative approach to funding programs has seen us secure a series of collective grants for a number of our member groups over the past five years. The projects have been a huge success with grant administration completed by SCAT members and the important on ground work left to local volunteers. Thes eprojects have brought local groups together to consider regional issues and provided opportunities for them to share their achievements and stories.

SCAT was awarded the Australian Government National Coastcare Award in 2008 and the Nyrstar Environment and Sustainability Tasmanian Community Achievement Award in 2009 for our innovative and ongoing success supporting Coastcare activities in southern Tasmania.

SCAT sustains the passion and enthusiasm for Coastcare within local communities and contributes to sustainability of coastal action by nurturing a healthy network through leadership and advocacy.

SCAT has raised the bar for coastal project collaboration in Tasmania, enabling community engagement in coastal and marine management throughout southern Tasmania to occur cohesively and strategically.