Mornington Peninsula Shire beach cleaning review had no involvement from Monash Uni researchers
Australia’s biggest university has revealed the only link it had to a review that resulted in Mornington Peninsula beaches being hand cleaned was a student interning with the local council.
South East
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Australia’s biggest university has rubbished claims it oversaw a council review that led to a world first trial of hand cleaning Mornington Peninsula beaches.
The $733,000 trial has come under fire for failing to meet “community expectations”, with reports litter and seaweed have increased on some of Victoria’s most visited beaches.
Mornington
Citizen scientist Josie Jones led the charge to clean the sand by hand after years of picking up and tracking litter made her question the effectiveness of mechanical raking.
Ms Jones’ research was included in Mornington Peninsula Shire’s beach cleaning review, which council documents described as being done “in partnership” with the university.
However, a bombshell email from Monash University’s research ethics and integrity director recently revealed the only connection to the prestigious institution was via a student interning with the council.
In the email — seen by the Herald Sun — Dr Simon Barrat said the review was “designed and conducted” by the council, who oversaw the intern’s work.
“There was no supervision, oversight or involvement of Monash University researchers; therefore, Monash University researchers had no input into the methodology, data analysis, or report drafting,” Dr Barrat said.
There was no suggestion the intern, who spent a year with the shire as part of a Masters of Environment and Sustainability, had “intended to mislead anyone or assert that he was undertaking the study under the auspices of Monash University”.
“It appears others may have drawn conclusions about the association and promoted them,” Dr Barrat said.
Dr Barrat’s email came after a concerned resident sought answers from the university about its involvement in the research.
Ms Jones said she stood by her research and questions about the university’s involvement was an attempt to “discredit her”.
She said she hadn’t claimed her research was backed by the university.
“I eat, breath and live this,” she said.
“I’m not doing it for notoriety. My motivation is to have clean and safe beaches.
“Since the hand cleaning trial started the beaches have never been cleaner.”
However, beach users have complained throughout the trial about seaweed and litter.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh confirmed he also received Dr Barrat’s email and was concerned to learn of the study’s “tenuous link” to the university.
While Mr Marsh voted in favour of the trial, he was not convinced it would be a long-term solution.
“There are people championing hand cleaning who believe Monash University developed and oversaw the study.
“This has given the false impression that the study had academic rigour.”
Mr Marsh said the trial would cease in coming months, if not earlier.
Late last year deputy mayor called for the trial to end immediately and the beach rake to be reinstated.
The request is expected to be addressed at an upcoming meeting.
The council has been contacted for further comment.