FUNDING to investigate and improve protection of the state’s coastline was given to the City of Busselton to work on projects which will help prevent erosion.
Acting transport minister John Day said the grants would benefit urgent coastal management projects with funds allocated for construction, design, monitoring or investigation work.
"The projects will provide a better understanding of coastal processes and ensure public coastal assets are protected from the impacts of ocean forces into the future," he said.
City of Busselton acting director of engineering and works services Daniell Abrahamse said there were four projects which would get underway.
Mr Abrahamse said beach monitoring would help the city understand coastal erosion along Geographe Bay and inform planning for protection and adaption work.
The second project will look at the maintenance of coastal protection structures such as sand containers which need repair or replacement.
Mr Abrahamse said a sand nourishment project to protect the beach amenity was part of a wider project to monitor, investigate and construct works.
“Sand nourishment protects both the amenity of the beach as well as significant environmental, social and economic assets. Measuring sand volumes through regular beach surveys helps us assess the long-term effectiveness of this adaptation method.”
The fourth project is an evacuation study which would provide emergency response planners with critical information about the most vulnerable points on the coastline as well as evacuation routes.
“It will also help identify areas where capital works will improve resilience against coastal inundation and assist both the city and Main Roads by identifying areas where key access and evacuation routes may benefit from upgrades,” he said.
