The accessible section of beach covered with seaweed last summer.
Camera IconThe accessible section of beach covered with seaweed last summer. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Resident calls for another beach access route in Two Rocks

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

A TWO Rocks resident has called for another beach access route in the suburb, saying neighbouring Yanchep has three times as many beach access paths.

The issue arose at a recent Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association meeting, when a resident said the section of beach accessible from Leeman’s Landing was often waist-deep with seaweed in summer.

She said farther south there was a clear sandy beach and suggested an access could be made near the Blaxland Avenue junction on Two Rocks Road, which she understood was Crown Land.

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While there were four beach access points in Two Rocks, she said she counted 14 in Yanchep.

A sandy section of beach farther south that residents want access to.
Camera IconA sandy section of beach farther south that residents want access to. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Wanneroo planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said there were currently no plans to provide additional beach access points.

“The land to the east of Two Rocks Road, between Capricorn Village in Yanchep and the Reef Estate in Two Rocks is zoned for urban development and is predominantly owned by the Tokyu Corporation, along with some smaller landowners,” he said.

“The City or the State Government is responsible for providing access through land that they manage.

“Where private land adjoins the foreshore reserve, if the land is proposed to be developed for urban uses, the landowner is required to prepare a foreshore management plan.”

Mr Dickson said that plan would set out how the landowner would manage the section of foreshore during and after development, and how they would facilitate access to the beach.

“In these instances, the developer is required to construct the infrastructure necessary to facilitate access to the beach,” he said.

Mr Dickson said the City was finalising the Coastal Hazard Risk Management Adaptation Plan for its 32km coastline that would identify areas vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal processes.

He said that would guide a coastal management plan identifying appropriate uses for sections of the coastline, and where access through the foreshore reserve would be appropriate.

Factors that could influence future beach access would include demand, topography, environmental sensitivity, drainage and revegetation needs, impact on dune stability, beach safety, and coastal vulnerability.

“The normal process to create new beach access points involves the preparation of a foreshore management plan and an application for planning approval to the WA Planning Commission,” Mr Dickson said.

“The City is unable to provide access where the foreshore reserve abuts private land, or through environmentally sensitive areas of foreshore vegetation.

“The City also needs to consider whether it is appropriate to provide access to beaches that have been identified as unsafe for swimming.

“Funding is also a consideration.”

The next Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association meeting will be in Two Rocks, at the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre from 7.30pm on May 28.

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