(7/6/2019) Port Beach closed due to erosion risk

The City of Fremantle has closed access to Port Beach after overnight storms caused significant erosion.

The City’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Glen Dougall said there was a serious risk some of the footpaths and car parks at the beach could collapse if further erosion occurred during the wild weather predicted over the next few days.

“The strong winds and stormy seas we experienced overnight have caused a lot of erosion to the dunes directly in front of the southern car park, surf club annex and the public change rooms,” Mr Dougall said.

“With more stormy weather forecast over the weekend it’s possible the erosion could get worse, so we’ve taken the step of closing access to Port Beach, including Sandtrax Beach, as a safety precaution.

“The footpath and other areas adjacent to the vulnerable sections of coastline have also been barricaded and closed to the public.

“We also organised an urgent inspection today by coastal engineering experts to ascertain the level of risk to the buildings and other facilities at the beach and if there is anything that can be done to protect them.

“We ask that all visitors to Port Beach pay attention to the warning signs and stay out of the areas that are closed for your own safety.”

Port Beach has been the subject of a number of erosion events in recent years.

During 2016 and 2017 the City of Fremantle - in partnership with the Town of Mosman Park and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage – undertook 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.

The City and Fremantle Ports are currently investigating a range of risk management options using funding from a state government Coastal Adaptation and Protection grant.