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Cleanest beaches?

Umina and Ocean Beach have been entered in the NSW Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge.

Judge Emily Doyle inspected the beaches last week, as well as other Central Coast beaches including Foresters, Avoca, Wamberal, Budgewoi, Terrigal and Toowoon Bay Beach.

The judges looked at overall entries as well as local projects undertaken by community groups who entered the sponsored categories section of the awards.

"The Clean Beach Challenge gives local communities a chance to measure the condition of their local beach against those in other parts of the state and no other program in New South Wales gathers together such a diverse group of people for a common purpose," said NSW Keep Australia Beautiful chair Ms Dawn Fardell said.

"The judges' findings help decide which beach will win the coveted title of New South Wales' Cleanest Beach.

"Last year's winner was Toowoon Bay."

Chief Executive of Keep Australia Beautiful (NSW) Mr Matthew Taylor said "The hotly contested special categories section of the Clean Beach Challenge focuses on issues such as natural heritage conservation projects, community-based programs, environmental initiatives and beach beautification efforts.

"The Clean Beach Challenge is more than a beach beauty competition, it recognises the dedicated efforts of thousands of volunteers, councils and surf lifesaving clubs whose passion for their beach helps manage and protect this state's most precious resources."

Press release, September 22 Matthew Taylor, Keep Australia Beautiful