The State Government has awarded more than $1.54 million to 39 projects across the state to help communities plan, protect, manage and enhance Western Australia's coastal areas.
The grants will support local governments, community groups and schools to protect and improve WA's coastline in the short to medium term.
Meanwhile, the State Government has also today released the Coastal Erosion Hotspots report that will map out potential longer-term solutions in areas with accelerated coastal change.
The State Government written to the Federal Government to call on a greater role from the Commonwealth in delivering long-term infrastructure solutions.
This year's grants will help relevant stakeholders and authorities to deliver coastal projects and plans, including:
- Funding to extend the groyne at Quinns Beach ($300,000);
- Replenishing sand in Esperance at Norseman Road ($150,000);
- Development of a management plan for coastal reserves in Port Hedland ($50,000); and
- Program for schools to rehabilitate degraded land and stabilise sand dunes at Myalup beach ($45,675).
Projects span the State's coastline and assist in the preparation of coastal management plans, development of coastal planning strategies, coastal monitoring, implementation of coastal adaptation plans, and the management of on-ground risks and hazards.
The Coastal Adaptation and Protection (CAP) grants are administered by the Department of Transport. The Coastal Management Plan Assistance Program (CMPAP) and Coastwest grants are administered by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on behalf of the Western Australian Planning Commission.
For more information, visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/capgrants or http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/coastal-planning
As stated by Transport; Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The State Government's coastal grants provide a unique opportunity to ensure we conserve and enhance our internationally recognised, stunning and unique coastline.
"Supporting and fostering partnerships with coastal managers and local groups is key to ensuring the best outcome for the WA coastline as it is challenged by climate change and other pressures.
"Funding this year will assist in rehabilitating dunes, engaging volunteers, removing invasive weeds, planting and protecting native fauna, developing coastal and foreshore management plans, beach monitoring and data collection, and sand nourishment and bypassing.
"We have also released the Coastal Erosion Hotspots report today to form a longer term plan for addressing this issue across the State, with Premier bring the issue to the meeting of the Council of Australia Governments (COAG) later this week.
"This is not an issue unique to WA and it is imperative the Federal Government starts playing a greater role in the solutions for coastal erosion, which has long been left to local and state governments and the goodwill of community groups.
"I am proud that we can support groups who not only manage, but also restore, our precious coastline which will help ensure our coast is protected for generations to come."
