State to spend $600k to combat Drummond Cove erosion

The WA Government has announced funding to slow down coastal erosion Geraldton and coastal management in the Northern Agricultural Catchment.

Agricultural Region member Laurie Graham said the funding allocated to high priority coastal erosion projects across WA included $600,000 to the City of Greater Geraldton for Drummond Cove groyne construction and sand nourishment.

“The project at Drummond Cove was classed as a high priority by the State Government’s 2019 Report ‘Assessment of Coastal Erosion Hotspots in Western Australia’, which identified 55 coastal erosion hotspots across Western Australia.

“The work at Drummond Cove will help protect it from the impacts of coastal erosion.”

City of Greater Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn said this would allow the City to complete the interim design option to stabilise Whitehill Beach Road.

“We are very grateful to the State Government for supporting these critical works,” he said.

An additional $1.76 million has also been allocated through the annual grant programs administered by the Department of Transport and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to 42 projects across WA.

This is intended to assist local governments and communities to plan, protect, manage and enhance Western Australia's coastal areas.

The funded projects include $16,900 to the City of Greater Geraldton for Separation Point coastal dune management and a further $7,500 to the City for Cape Burney Lookout dune rehabilitation.

The Northern Agricultural Catchments Council also gets $19,400 to build community capacity.

Mr Graham said the funding would help protect the local coastline while providing a welcome employment boost for those actively working in environment and coastal planning and management.