Coast and Waterways

Geraldton is a coastal City featuring many kilometres of beaches that cater to a variety of social and recreational activities ranging from water sports, animal watching or just relaxing.  The City also boasts two waterways, the Chapman River and the Greenough River, that generally do not flow during the summer months.

To ensure the City's foreshore reserves are managed in accordance with State Government requirements and responsibilities under the Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act the City had adopted the Geraldton Coastal Strategy and Foreshore Management Plan.

Seaweed Collection

Seaweed, or seawrack, is created when seaweed growing on the sea floor is ripped away by wave action and bought to the shore by waves. Seaweed plays a vital role in helping to protect our vulnerable coastal areas and sustaining the beach and the marine environment. Decomposing seaweed provides nutrients to other ocean plants and animals. Sea wrack provides habitat and food for marine life and is a connector of land and sea. The accumulation or seaweed acts as a natural barrier to storm surges and large wave action. It holds the sand that is often taken away by the wind and assists in the dune making process. It can act as a structural support for plants trying to re-establish themselves.

Seaweed collection from City beaches requires a permit from the City. Each permit will be issued on a case to case basis. Contact the City on 9956 6600 for more information on seaweed collection permits.

Chapman River Estuary Reserve

The Chapman River Estuary Reserve, part of the Chapman River Regional Park, is a very popular recreation spot with people walking and cycling along the river trail, bird watching, picnicking and fishing off the riverbanks. It is also a place of cultural significance to many Aboriginal people and is the site of a federally listed Threatened Ecological Community. It is also home to migratory shore birds, turtles, other wildlife whose habitat needs to be maintained and protected.

Read the Chapman River Estuary Reserve Action Plan 2022-2025 here

Newsletter: Chapman Estuary Times

Keep up to date on the latest happenings in the Estuary and the status of the recommended actions identified in the Chapman River Estuary Reserve Action Plan. If you would like to receive the newsletter by email send your request to:  environmentalplaqnning@cgg.wa.gov.au

October 2023 Issue

December 2023 Issue

February 2024 Issue

Greenough River and Estuary

Greenough River reserve is an area of high conservation significance. Under the Natural Areas Management Strategy 2021 (link here) this reserve has high conservation value, high visitation level and a high level of infrastructure and trails. Covering approximately 450 ha this reserve begins at Bootenal Springs in Greenough and ends downstream at the Greenough River mouth in Cape Burney. The Greenough River Estuary is a major destination for resident and migratory bird species.

Find out more here.