Our coast is highly valued. It provides us with places and spaces to live, do business, be active and enjoy. However, the coast is mobile – it is constantly changing through storm events and the changes that people make to the coastline. There will also be further changes as a result of climate change, such as sea level rise and potentially more severe storm events.
These coastal changes are now becoming much more noticeable and happening more rapidly. For this reason, local governments throughout Western Australia have been undertaking studies to understand the impacts of these coastal processes, particularly where people live.
The Peron Naturaliste Partnership (PNP) and selected member local governments the City of Bunbury and Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey have partnered with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Southern Ports Authority to develop a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) to understand how these changes can be best managed into the future.
The CHRMAP will improve our understanding of coastal, estuarine and riverine features, coastal processes and the hazards and vulnerability of the coastal zone. It will identify vulnerability trigger points and timeframes for short, medium and long term risk management and adaptation planning, and will develop appropriate adaptation options.
The CHRMAP will provide us with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of how our coastal zones will be impacted in the future and how we can plan for and manage these changes in the City of Bunbury and Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey.
Draft CHRMAP’s for each of the four local government areas were released for public comment, closing on 16 June 2023.
The comments received will be considered in finalizing the CHRMAP’s that will be released in the coming months. Further information will be announced closer to the date. For more information please email Craig Perry.