Premier calls for Commonwealth support to manage coastal erosion

  • ​WA the first State in Australia to release state-wide report on coastal erosion
  • Report outlines scope and scale of potential impacts, and management options for WA’s coastline
  • Cross-government co-operation required to respond to coastal hazards and risks
  • State Government calls for Commonwealth involvement in coastal management
  • WA to raise the issue at meeting of the Council of Australia Governments (COAG)
  • Premier Mark McGowan has called on the Commonwealth Government to work with State and local governments to manage coastal erosion across the country.

    The State Government today released a released a comprehensive report outlining the scope and scale of coastal erosion across Western Australia, and potential options for managing areas of risk.

    The report itself was commissioned to gain a better understanding of where coastal erosion is expected to have a significant impact on public and private property or infrastructure over the next 25 years.

    It identifies 55 locations across Western Australia – 15 metropolitan and 40 regional – that have varying levels of risk that will need collaborative solutions. An additional 31 locations have been placed on a watch-list for future monitoring.

    The estimated cost for managing the 55 locations could be up to $110 million over the next five years, with additional funding required in the long term.

    Findings include a broad evaluation of coastal management options – which along with more detailed local coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning – will inform future funding considerations and priorities for the coastal zone.

    For long term coastal management to be a success, a cross-government management approach is required.

    The State Government has written to the Commonwealth requesting a national, cross-jurisdictional approach be advanced, to collaboratively deal with the problem.

    Report available: https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/coastal-erosion-and-stability.asp

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “WA has more than 20,000km of coastline and the issue of coastal erosion is not going away.

    “Valued infrastructure, homes and livelihoods are at risk due to major storm events and the global rise of sea levels.

    “This is not a problem exclusive to WA, it’s a national problem that needs a national response.

    “I have written to the Prime Minister and I will be taking this issue further at COAG this week.

    “Managing coastal erosion should not just fall onto the lap of local and state governments, especially given the negative impact climate change is having on our coastlines.

    “The Commonwealth response to climate change needs to prioritise coastal action and I look forward to discussing this further with my Federal and State counterparts.”

    As stated by Planning; Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

    “This report is a step forward for all levels of government to better understand the challenges posed by coastal erosion in years to come.

    “While there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to managing coastal erosion, the outcomes of this study will help us refine our coastal management strategy and better allocate resources.

    “We now have a list of 55 locations to focus our efforts on and we will work with all levels of government and with coastal managers to find ways to address the challenges.

    “In the past decade more than $16 million in State funding has been invested in projects to improve planning and management of Western Australia’s coastal assets.”

    Minister’s office – 6552 5500

    /Public Release. View in full here.