Published on Thursday, 25 October 2018 at 1:02:11 PM
After nearly two years of construction works to protect and enhance the Beresford Foreshore the fences are down and the site has been officially reopened just in time for summer.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said Council was pleased to see this legacy project completed on time and under budget.
“Almost ten years ago investigations and design work commenced to develop a solution for the rapidly eroding Beresford Foreshore which was threatening $55 million of State and Local Government infrastructure located along Chapman Road,” he said.
“Seven years later a multi-agency Ministerial Working Group including coastal engineers was formed to develop the final solution involving groyne extensions and rock revetments and source funding to undertake the project. Funding, which also included replacing amenities lost to erosion over the years, was secured through the State Government Regional Grant Scheme administered by the Mid West Development Commission and Mid West Ports.
“Now that the $23 million project is finally completed I am absolutely thrilled to say it not only came in $3 million under budget, it also injected nearly $20 million into the local economy via local contractors.”
The City’s $1.8 million contribution to the project was used for the enhancement and beautification of the Beresford Foreshore. The landscape designs were informed by extensive community engagement and include the top 15 priorities the community said they wanted to have along this popular stretch of coastline. The five most important amenities featured in the project are a vastly improved shared pathway, trees and coastal plantings, shade structures, a playground and toilets.
Mayor Van Styn also thanked the community for their patience and support.
“During construction works the community had limited or no access to the Foreshore but I can guarantee the wait has been well worth it and I’d like to thank local residents and the broader community for their support of the project,” he said.
Although the Beresford Foreshore has been reopened to the public, final touches to complete the project are still underway.
PICTURE CAPTION:
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn (holding plaque from left to right), long time Chapman Road residents John and Anne Luk and the Hon. Rita Saffioti Minister for Transport are joined by projects funders and contractors, Councillors, local members of parliament and City Executive team members in celebrating the completion of the Beresford Foreshore Coastal Protection and Enhancement Project.
Back to All News