Moore MP Shane Love has urged local governments impacted by coastal erosion to apply for the government’s latest $4 million coastal grant round.
Applications for Coastal Adaptation and Protection Grants of up to $300,000 are open now until 31 March 2021.
Mr Love, also The Nationals WA environment spokesperson, cautioned that Labor’s $4 million coastal grant fund was barely a drop in the ocean considering the coastal planning and management works needed to address coastal erosion in WA.
He said eight sites in Moore had been identified as coastal erosion hotspots in a 2019 report including Grace Darling Park in Lancelin, Ledge Point, Seabird foreshore, Wedge, Grey, Cervantes, Horrocks foreshore and Grannies Beach in Port Denison.
“With a total of 55 coastal erosion hotspots in the state, the sites indicate the enormity of the issue and that is why The Nationals last year launched a $50 million policy to address coastal erosion in regional WA,” he added.
Mr Love said The Nationals WA coastal erosion policy and funding package was designed to help local governments, coast care and community groups fund programs and initiatives to manage natural assets and protect private and public infrastructure at these locations.
“The policy also commits to creating specific integrated coastal management legislation similar to that in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia,” he added.
Legislation in other states defines coastal zones, outlines protection, conservation and rehabilitation requirements, recognises cultural and economic importance and ensures land use planning decisions safeguard life and infrastructure.
A State Government report on WA coastal erosion hotspots released in July 2019 identified 55 locations as being of high management importance within the next 25 years.
Of those, 40 are in regional WA, with 12 identified as requiring urgent action in the next five years.
Applications for the coastal planning and management grants close on 31 March 2021. Further details https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/coastalgrants.
