(22/2/19) Have your say on Our Coastal Future

Planning to manage Fremantle’s coastline from the risk of erosion is about to enter a new phase.

The state government’s planning policies require local governments across the state to appropriately plan for coastal hazard risk management and adaptation.

During 2016 and 2017 the City of Fremantle - in partnership with the Town of Mosman Park and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage - completed a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) process to assess the vulnerability of the coastline along Port, Leighton and Mosman beaches.

The CHRMAP process identified the Port Beach area, including Sandtrax Beach, was vulnerable to immediate and future coastal change.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the next step was for the City to investigate a range of risk management options for Port Beach and provide the community with a defined concept plan for managing coastal erosion.

“Last year we were successful in obtaining a Coastal Adaptation and Protection grant from the Department of Transport, which has allowed the City, in conjunction with Fremantle Ports, to engage specialist consultants to investigate different risk management options,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“Those options may include beach and dune nourishment – which basically means trucking in sand to replenish the beach, the relocation of beach infrastructure like the car parks and changing rooms, building groynes or seawalls or a combination of all of these things.

“Unfortunately there are no easy solutions and each of the options to be assessed comes with costs and benefits.

“For example, beach nourishment may maintain the amenity of the beach but it will be an ongoing and expensive exercise. Alternatively, a seawall will protect important coastal assets but may result in the loss of the beach from time to time.

“That’s why we really need to hear from people who use the beach, to understand what they most value about the beach and what trade-offs they would be prepared to accept in coming up with suitable risk management measures.”

As part of its community engagement the City has established a reference group with representatives from local and state government agencies and community groups including the Port Beach Polar Bears, Leighton Action Coalition, North Fremantle Precinct Group and Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club.

Community members can provide their feedback until Sunday 24 March 2019.

For more information about coastal adaptation planning for Port Beach and to have your say, visit the City of Fremantle’s My Say Freo website.