State Government grant for Emu Point groyne as MP calls for ‘urgent action’ on Albany coastal erosion

Emu Point’s crumbling coastline will be the target of a $230,000 State Government coastal grant as the City of Albany seeks public comment on a plan to tackle erosion in the area. The State Government grant, announced last week, will support the completion of Emu Point groyne field optimisation modelling and design to protect the land from rising tides. Coastal erosion has been an enduring issue around the Emu Beach area for decades before it was identified as an “erosion hot spot” in 2019 by the State Government. A report outlined footpaths at Emu Point would be vulnerable to erosion within the next five years; and roads, access paths and the caravan park would be under threat in the next 5-25 years. Speaking in State Parliament last week, Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens said erosion was causing significant damage to Emu Beach and putting popular paths in danger. “The well-used bike path is close to falling into the ocean and ... the beach has become dangerous, with waves surging in and hitting the temporary sandbag groynes,” she said. “The need for urgent action has recently been highlighted by acute ongoing erosion at the site ... during April 2021, which has damaged existing infrastructure such as footpaths, and created safety risks for visitors to the area.” The funding comes soon after the release of the City of Albany’s long-term plan to manage coastal erosion and development of infrastructure along the foreshore between Albany Golf Club and Emu Point. The draft Emu Beach foreshore management plan is out for public comment on the City of Albany’s website until July 14. Works proposed for the next five years includes undertaking landscaping and granite boulder groyne field establishment, and sand nourishment in Emu Beach and Oyster Harbour. Within the next 10 years, the plan recommends undertaking capital works for upgrades to existing coastal protection structures including Emu Point rock revetment. “The foreshore management plan area is a significant tourism attraction, and previous stakeholder engagement has repeatedly shown that the local community strongly values its social and recreational amenity,” the plan said. “The area continues to experience storm events and subsequent erosion, hence the need for the City of Albany to act has become increasingly urgent.” The City requires “a considerable amount” of funding to carry out the works, including $6 million for landscape elements and about $5.5m for coastal protection works, according to the draft plan. City executive director infrastructure, development and environment Paul Camins said the new grant would provide important support to undertake a “carefully considered” groyne and revetment termination design at Emu Beach. “The consultant’s report will include groyne field optimisation modelling, detailed design and environmental approvals to enable the construction of coastal erosion measures at this location for protection into the future,” he said. “Our priority is to carefully consider the design options at Emu Beach to ensure maximum effectiveness and not make hasty decisions that might result in a worse outcome. After preparing the design next financial year, we would look to implement it when a funding source can be identified. “We will continue to monitor the erosion that is currently occurring with the winter weather patterns and consider potential options in relation to the dual-use path.”