Letter to the Editor: Department of Transport helps Shire of Denmark and City of Albany with erosion hotspots

The Department of Transport supports local governments, in this case, the Shire of Denmark, to manage their coastline by providing technical advice and financial support for projects local governments want to implement.

DoT works closely with local authorities as they endeavour to deliver the best outcome for their community.

The Shire of Denmark submitted a proposal to DoT in February this year seeking Hotspot Coastal Adaptation and Protection funding for Ocean Beach to remove the boat house, replace the retaining wall, and relocate the existing boat house functionality to the surf lifesaving club building which is not affected by erosion.

In June, the Shire was awarded $1.14 million to complete this project after consideration by the HCAP assessment panel.

The project is in progress with construction expected to begin in February.

It is important to understand the retaining wall will not be extended, rather it will be relocated more than 4m landward to further reduce its influence on coastal processes.

This will be complemented by beach nourishment, stabilisation, and revegetation east and west of the retaining wall.

At Emu Point in Albany, the option of re-nourishing the eroding beach was included in the comprehensive engineering assessment and cost estimates by the appointed coastal engineering specialists as part of another H-CAP project in 2021, along with other management options.

The T-head groyne option was selected because there was significantly less risk of beach erosion and greater beach stability requiring less ongoing maintenance and a better beach for people to enjoy.

Last October, the City of Albany decided to undertake further community consultation and review rather than progress the T-Head groyne option.

The DoT continues to assist the City in developing and implementing feasible, viable and acceptable coastal adaptation and protection solutions at erosion hotspots aligning with the City’s endorsed Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan.

The DoT values the knowledge of the local community and always makes time to meet with locals who share their passion for sustainable coastal management.

A DoT senior coastal engineer who is part of the project team has previously met with community members to discuss many of these issues and DoT would welcome further discussions.

Chris Mather is the maritime executive director at the Department of Transport.

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