Works undertaken over the Easter and Anzac Day holiday period focused on dealing with coastal erosion in the area.
Shire President Michael Aspinall and chief executive Jeremy Edwards have also met with coastal engineers to discuss construction of a rock sea wall to defend the most precarious beachside properties and to improve safety, and are looking to the State Government for funding.
Residents welcomed the new beach access, but remained concerned about coastal erosion and the loss of sand dunes, as highlighted by Seabird Progress and Sports Association president Garry Thomas.
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READ NOW‘Our greatest concern is how long before corrective measures are taken to arrest the erosion problem, as time really is of the essence in this case,’ he said.
‘While we don’t expect the Shire to do everything, we are looking to the Shire to take a leading role.
‘We acknowledge that this is a joint endeavour and we are keen to cooperate with the Shire to secure funding and get the work done as quickly as possible.’
Cr Aspinall said the issue of funding was the biggest challenge the Shire faced to address the erosion issue properly.
‘Our ability to intervene to the standards this issue requires is wholly dependent on State Government support,’ he said.
‘While the Shire doesn’t have the funds to cover the extent of the work, we are lobbying hard to secure the money needed to get remedial work started as soon as possible.’
Planning Minister John Day yesterday announced $500,000 for the next round of Coastwest grants, which community groups and local governments can use for coastal protection projects.