About us

Who we are

Dam Kings Beach Inc. is a community-led waterways initiative based in the Byron Shire. Since 2019 we have supported public access to local waterways and seasonal community events in Northern NSW.

In 2026 we launched the Kings Beach Salt Runoff Containment campaign, after our preliminary work found that salt runoff at Kings Beach has never been monitored or managed.

We are an incorporated not-for-profit association, governed by a volunteer Board and supported by local partners, volunteers and members.

Our mission

To protect the ocean from salt runoff through evidence, community engagement and responsible coastal infrastructure.

Our vision

An ocean that is no saltier tomorrow than it is today.

Our values

Evidence. We publish our working.
Precaution. We act before harm, not after.
Respect. We welcome different views.
Transparency. We declare our interests.

Governance

Board

Our Board members are volunteers, elected by members at the Annual General Meeting.

Denise Whitford

Chair

Denise spent 31 years in NSW public primary schools, the last twelve as a principal. A Suffolk Park resident since 1998, she joined the Board in 2021 and became Chair in 2024.

Graham Tully

Deputy Chair

Graham is a retired civil engineer with 38 years' experience in roads, drainage and stormwater infrastructure across regional NSW. He lives in Lennox Head and walks Kings most weeks.

Michelle Farrant

Treasurer

Michelle is an accountant with more than 20 years in practice, much of it with not-for-profit organisations. She lives in Ewingsdale with her family.

Luca Bellanova

Secretary

Luca is Operations Manager at Cham's Small Meats & Preservatives and has volunteered with Dam Kings Beach since 2019. He has declared an interest as a family member of the founder of our founding partner.

Tanya Corliss

Board member

Tanya is a registered nurse and mother of two from Mullumbimby. She brings a health and family perspective to the Board.

Expert advice

Technical Advisory Panel

The Technical Advisory Panel provides independent advice to the Board on technical matters, including the baseline study and monitoring framework.

Dr Alan Merriman

Hydrogeology

Alan is a retired hydrogeologist with 40 years' experience in groundwater investigation in Australia and overseas. He lives in Bangalow.

Fiona Castellan

Water quality

Fiona is an environmental scientist specialising in water quality monitoring. She advises on the design of the Salinity Monitoring Framework.

Ray Dunstan

Stormwater and drainage

Ray is a retired local government works supervisor with 30 years' experience maintaining stormwater and drainage infrastructure.

Panel members are volunteers who provide advice in a personal capacity. Their views are their own and are not those of any current or former employer.

Staff

Project team

Sarah Lindqvist

Project Coordinator

Sarah coordinates the Kings Beach Salt Runoff Containment campaign and is our media contact.

Priya Raman

Community Engagement Officer

Priya looks after volunteers, information sessions and market stalls.

Our story

History

2019Dam Kings Beach established as a community-led waterways initiative, with Cham's Small Meats & Preservatives as founding sponsor.
2019–2025Support for public access to local waterways and seasonal community events in Northern NSW.
2021Partnerships, Sponsorship and Conflicts of Interest Policy adopted.
June 2026Preliminary salt load estimate for Kings Beach prepared for Board review.
September 2026Kings Beach Salt Runoff Containment Proposal released. Petition to the NSW Parliament opened. Technical Advisory Panel established.

Accountability

Governance and policies

The Board meets monthly. Board members, advisers and staff declare any interests that could conflict with their role, and these are recorded in our register of interests.

Membership is open to anyone who supports our objectives. Enquire about membership.