The Shires of Dandaragan and Gingin are holding two information sessions in June that will provide an opportunity for the community to learn about coastal hazard planning, which is currently being undertaken to help prepare communities from Guilderton to Jurien Bay for the potential impacts of coastal inundation and long term erosion.
The two community information sessions will be held in Jurien Bay and Guilderton and continue a commitment from the Shires to engage the community and other key stakeholders in a coastal hazard planning process that is being undertaken by the Shires together with the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC).
The sessions will discuss topics such as coastal hazards and risks, man-made and natural coastal assets, coastal processes, coastal planning requirements, options for adapting to coastal change, and opportunities for community involvement throughout the process. The sessions will also provide opportunities for the community to chat with coastal specialists and Shire staff.
Shire of Gingin CEO Jeremy Edwards said that the partner organisations have aimed to involve the community early on in the coastal hazard planning process and will continue to do so at key stages throughout the process.
“In 2013 the Shires and NACC hosted a workshop in Ledge Point that brought together Shire staff, Councillors, government agencies and coastal specialists to discuss the requirements of coastal hazard planning,” said Mr Edwards. “Representatives from a range of community groups were invited to and attended this workshop and their input was invaluable. These sessions now provide an opportunity for the broader community to learn about the coastal hazard planning process, what has been achieved so far, and what the next steps will be.”
Shire of Dandaragan CEO Tony Nottle said that by working through the coastal hazard planning process, the Shires are taking an integrated, informed and measured approach to better understand appropriate locations for the future placement of coastal infrastructure.
“Last year the Shires responded to State government studies and changes to the Coastal Planning Policy by partnering with NACC to undertake the first steps of the coastal hazard planning process,” said Mr Nottle. “The Shires and NACC have since been successful in applying for State government funding to undertake further steps in this planning process and these information sessions are an important part of keeping the community involved as we progress.”
The sessions have been funded by the Australian Government through NACC’s Coastal Devolved Grants program and will be hosted by former NACC Coastal and Marine Program Coordinators Ashley Robb and Chiara Danese, and WAPC panel member and former head of Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University, Dr Garry Middle.
The Jurien Bay session will be held at 4:30pm on Tuesday June 10th at the Jurien Bay Council Chambers. To RSVP for the Jurien Bay session contact Denaye Kerr: denayekerr@dandaragan.wa.gov.au or phone 9652 0800.
The Guilderton session will be held at 5:30pm at the Guilderton Country Club on Wednesday June 11th. To RSVP for the Guilderton session contact Cher Groves eso@gingin.wa.gov.au or phone 9575 2211, extension 138.
For more information contact Ashley Robb (Gingin Dandaragan Coastal Partnership) on 0439 400 107.
