Published on Thursday, 20 January 2022 at 11:24:21 AM
Collaboration in a targeted coastal monitoring program focused on capturing the impacts of erosion and effectiveness of coastal adaptation works has recently begun.
Jointly funded by a State Government Department of Transport Coastal Adaptation and Protection (CAP) grant, University of Western Australia (UWA) and the City of Greater Geraldton, the program also includes reviewing nearly two decades of coastal data and a number of coastal studies previously undertaken by the Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) and Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC).
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the data review is the first step towards understanding how previous efforts to mitigate coastal erosion have been working.
“Over the years sand bypassing, sand nourishment and the construction of rock and Geotextile Sand Container (GSC) groynes and sea walls have been used to reduce coastal erosion,” he said.
“During this time MWPA, NACC and the City have been independently collecting data on how some of these works have been effecting shoreline movements.
“This data is now being shared and once it’s reviewed, we will know where the gaps and overlaps in the monitoring have been and will be able to take a coordinated approach to all current and future coastal monitoring initiatives at known erosion hotspots and in front of groynes and sea walls.”
The ten week long coastal monitoring project, which aligns with the City’s coastal monitoring program, will be undertaken by UWA intern Bianca Veth and funded by a $10,000 UWA student internship. City engineering officers will be assisting with the data research component of the program. To ensure program continuity, further ten week rotational internships are being considered by UWA.
Separate to the program and a coup for the City, final-year UWA Engineering Masters student Tasma Allen will be undertaking a coastal monitoring thesis in Geraldton over the next twelve months.
The $38,000 Coastal Monitoring Program is funded by a $19,000 CAP grant with the City contributing the remaining $19,000.
Implementing the Coastal Monitoring Program is one of the key recommendations of the Geraldton Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP). The program will inform ongoing coastal management and adaptation decision-making in the longer term.
More on CHRMAP here
Picture Caption: City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn in front of the Midalias Beach rock groyne.
Back to All News