Lifeline for WA beaches under threat from rising sea levels
Coastal towns and beaches impacted by erosion have been given a funding boost as rising sea levels continue to threaten homes and public infrastructure across Western Australia.
Projects at City Beach in the Town of Cambridge and Cable Beach in Broome will receive the lion’s share of the $3.38 million allocated across 32 projects that plan for, manage and adapt to the impact of climate change on the coastline.
Despite extensive sandbagging efforts from community volunteers, coastal erosion forced the demolition of the Geraldton Sea Rescue building in June 2024.Credit: Geraldton Sea Rescue Facebook
The state government funding is part of a broader $33.5 million, five-year program announced following a 2019 report into WA’s coastal erosion which found 28 private properties and several iconic beaches were at imminent risk of being washed away.
As recently as last month, the Geraldton Marine Rescue building was demolished after heavy rains and high tides left the facility tethering on the edge of the ocean.
Despite heavy sandbagging at the Point Moore building a year prior, it could not be saved.
The 2024-25 funding round includes $1.66 million for a seawall, access ramp and drainage at Cable Beach in Broome; $200,000 for repairs and maintenance of the City Beach groynes; and $130,000 to manage coastal hazards in the Town of Kwinana.
Planning Minister John Carey said a collaborative approached was needed to manage Western Australia’s 20,000 kilometre coastline.
“Western Australia is renowned for its extraordinary coastline, and it is vital that we manage coastal hazards such as erosion and inundation to safeguard the state’s beaches for future generations,” he said.
“This important funding for coastal projects across the State will ensure we can continue to partner with local governments and community groups to sustainably manage the threats and pressures on our diverse but fragile coastline.”
Now in its fourth year, the CoastWA grants have seen more than $22.4 million invested into 219 projects that plan for, manage and adapt to the increasing impacts of a changing climate on the coastline.
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