Feedback wanted on erosion solutions for North Fremantle and Mosman Park beaches

FREMANTLE and Mosman Park councils want onshore and offshore users of Sandtracks, Port, Leighton and Mosman beaches to tell them which potential erosion solutiuons could affect enjoyment of the coast.

“Those options may include beach and dune nourishment, which basically means trucking in sand to replenish the beach, the relocation of beach infrastructure like the car parks and changing rooms, building groynes or seawalls, or a combination of all of these things,” Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said.

Dr Pettit said trucking sand may keep the beaches but it would expensive, while seawalls offering protection could cause occasional loss of some of the beaches.

Sandtracks and Port were created by dredging spoil washing in up to 180m from the pre-settlement coast since the 1880s.

For two years, contractor MP Rogers and Associates has done a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning study measuring the threats to beaches, dunes, buildings and port infrastructure from erosion highlighted by a 3m loss of dunes and undermining of the Port Beach car park early last winter.

MP Rogers coastal engineer Clint Doak said Sandtracks was losing about 1.7m a year, Port Beach 0.6m, but the section before the Fremantle SLSC was stable.

Answering concerns the new Rous Head amplified erosion, Mr Doak said Port Beach was eroding “significantly” before the head’s extension.

Today, a council-established community reference group met to advise on erosion solutions that could be funded by State and Federal governments.

“We’d like to keep the land east of Port Beach Road open as a buffer for any future sea surges,” Leighton Action Coalition representative Sally Wearne said..

Precinct representative Gerard McGill said bathers must not continue having to climb over protective rocks to get on the beach or rubble to get into the water..

Comment at the City of Fremantle’s My Say Freo website is open from tomorrow to March 24.