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As part of the Western Australian Government’s $4 million coastal grants program, Rottnest Island will receive $1.77 million for urgent work to address severe erosion at Thomson Bay South.

Another 53 coastal management projects throughout Western Australia will also receive funding to help protect and enhance the State’s coastline.

With Thomson Bay listed as the top priority in the 2019 Assessment of Coastal Erosion Hotspots in WA report – and its holiday chalets at danger of significant structural damage – $1.77 million will go towards the design and construction of a seawall to help mitigate the risk.

Other hotspots to receive funding this year include the City of Stirling’s Mettams Pool ($190,000 for sand replenishment) and the City of Albany’s Emu Point ($230,000 to complete the design and approval of new groynes).

Some of the State’s most loved beaches will also benefit with the Shire of Broome awarded $93,988 to help manage Cable and Town beaches, and several metropolitan beaches including Swanbourne and Leighton Beach in Fremantle receiving funding for projects such as weed control, biodiversity restoration and dune rehabilitation.

Additionally, six local governments – Cottesloe, East Fremantle, Exmouth, Manjimup, Albany and Ravensthorpe – will receive funding to complete their coastal hazard risk management and adaptation plans.

These plans are the first step in identifying coastal hazards such as erosion and long-term management actions.

This year’s funding builds on last year’s $5 million allocated to four high priority coastal erosion hotspots as part of the State Government’s $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.

Work on these projects at Port Beach, Point Peron and Drummond Cove is progressing while work at Quinns Beach was completed in March.

Western Australian Transport and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti advised “one of the best parts about living in WA is our amazing coastline and easy access to some of the best beaches in the world.

“However these are very fragile environments and that’s why we’ve allocated $4 million to 54 projects across the State to ensure we can sustainably manage potential threats and pressures on our diverse, vast coastline.

“The grants support the work of coastal land managers, including local governments and community groups.

“Supporting and fostering these partnerships is key to ensuring the best outcome for the WA coastline and I congratulate all successful recipients in this year’s program.”

For more information on the State Government’s coastal grants program, visit dplh.wa.gov.au/coastalgrants

Image: Geordie Bay Rottnest Island. Credit Rottnest Island Authority

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