Potential $9 billion strategy to protect Busselton’s coastline

The City of Busselton is considering spending up to $9 billion over the next century in response to its eroding coastline. Public consultation is to begin today on the city’s draft Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaption plan, which predicts a number of homes in the Capes could be washed away over the next decade if measures are not urgently put in place. The document outlines a recommended $1.6 billion strategy to protect the coastline using existing technologies including sandbags, sand dumping and buried and non-buried groynes. A separate $9 billion approach is also considered in the plan, which would see the city buy homes and other private assets on the coastline likely to be impacted by rising sea levels. The “retreat” strategy would demolish infrastructure and dig up pipelines as the coast recedes. It comes after a State Government report found there were 55 erosion hotspots in WA that would be severely impacted by rising sea levels within 25 years. King Street, Craig Street, Abbey and Locke Estate within the City of Busselton were among those outlined. The area of coast covered by the council’s draft plan is from Forrest Beach through to Dunsborough, including the four “hotspots” as well as Eagle Bay, Bunker Bay, Yallingup and Smith’s Beach. The city would work with the State and Federal governments to obtain funding to ensure the strategy would not be entirely covered by ratepayers. City chief executive Mike Archer said ongoing investment in coastal protection was vital to ensure homes and infrastructure in the area remained unaffected. “Indications are that without significant and ongoing investment in coastal protection and management, property and infrastructure could be lost to coastal erosion,” he said. Busselton mayor Grant Henley said the plan was “unarguably” one of the most important strategic concepts to come before the council. Vasse MLA Libby Mettam urged the Capes community to provide feedback. “The City of Busselton must ensure there is transparency around the outcomes and cost for ratepayers,” she said. The draft plan is out for feedback from tomorrow until the end of July, when council will elect a strategy. Two public information sessions will be held on May 27 from 6pm at the City of Busselton and June 3 from 6pm at John Edwards Pavilion in Dunsborough. Staffed information displays in Busselton and Dunsborough shopping centres will also be held on these days and two online information sessions will be held via Zoom on June 15 and 24.