By Bronwen Blockley
FREMANTLE — Residents opposed to massive sand dredging operations and groyne extensions at South Beach have formed Friends of South Beach, a community action group to combat the $3.6 million development plan.
The prevailing feeling among residents is that the "beautification" process is unnecessary and destructive to the environment.
In June, residents led by university lecturer David Utting and councillor Leonie Deegan armed themselves with shovels and began dismantling newly built groynes. The group, supported by the Maritime Union of Australia and the Greens WA, is protesting against inadequate community consultation and has recently entered into talks with the council.