Have your say on protecting coastline

Locals have been urged to get involved in the future of the changing Pilbara coast as the Town of Port Hedland begins a risk management project.

Through surveys and community focus groups, the Town of Port Hedland has begun the process of identifying vulnerabilities in the Hedland area to coastal processes such as erosion and flood-ing.

The project, named the Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning Project, will develop plans to address vulnerabilities identified.

According to the Town, the planning will ensure the town is ready to manage the risks and impacts of changes to the Hedland coastline.

Care For Hedland Environmental Association co-ordinator Jo Smith said participating in the survey and project was important to keep the Port Hedland coast alive.

“If people don’t say what’s important to them along the coast then it’s not going to be protected and it’s not going to be around for them to use,” she said,

“There is a significant problem with erosion along the coast, and with the spoilbank being there it does erode slightly — so we do want to make sure we still have beach there available to use and have the beach available for our turtles to nest.”

To take part in the project and protect the coastal areas, visit surveymonkey.com/r/PortHedland OurCoastalFuture.