Middleton Beach redevelopment receives special commendation at WA Coastal Awards for Excellence

The City of Albany’s efforts to improve the Binalup/Middleton Beach foreshore have earned it a special commendation at the WA Coastal Awards for Excellence.

The Binalup/Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement Project was nominated in the Coastal Design category, which was taken out by the Shire of Broome’s Guwarri Town Beach Redevelopment Project.

The $9 million Albany development, officially opened on New Year’s Eve, was the only project to receive a special commendation in its category at the awards ceremony in Mandurah last week.

The commendation noted the project had “made a significant contribution to the improvement of Albany and regional Western Australia’s coastal landscape”.

“This project acts as the precursor to attracting private investment into the DevelopmentWA-led activity centre supporting a boutique hotel, retail and commercial tenancies, and residential accommodation,” the commendation said.

“The project ultimately aims to preserve and enhance the unique landscape character and natural assets of the foreshore, whilst enhancing lifestyle, tourism and increased values, and attracting private investment for a range of recreational, retail and accommodation development projects.”

Work is ongoing on the third stage of the Binalup/Middleton Beach enhancement, with the precinct expected to be completed by January 2023.

Stage three works include upgrades to the Ellen Cove amphitheatre, the concrete beachfront promenade, the Ellen Cove jetty, and the area between Big 4 Middleton Beach and Albany Surf Life Saving Club.

The WA Coastal Awards for Excellence are organised by the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage and take place every two years.

Other winners included a project to protect the fairy terns, a program to encourage school children to adopt a beach, and a coastal planning information-sharing forum.

“Our coast is an immensely valuable natural asset, but its dynamic nature poses ongoing care and management challenges,” Planning Minister Rita Saffioti said.

“The dedicated efforts of the award winners and everyone involved in coast care activities is vital to the coast’s ongoing protection.”

“These awards are one way we can acknowledge and celebrate your outstanding work to protect, rejuvenate and rehabilitate our coastal environment.”