Town of Port Hedland reveals new plan to protect Pilbara coast from climate change

A plan to mitigate the harsh impacts of climate change on Port Hedland’s coastline including changes to beach access paths has been gazetted by the Town of Port Hedland. Now in its draft stage, the coastal foreshore management plan acts as a blueprint to sustainably manage the risks of cyclones, erosion and rising sea levels. Areas under the proposed management plan include Wedge Street to the West End, Cooke Point, Pretty Pool and Six Mile Creek. It follows the Town’s 2020 Coastal Future campaign to highlight environmental issues along the foreshore, and the coastal hazard risk management and adaption plan. Suggested solutions listed in the current draft include cleaning up cyclone damage, dune stabilisation through re-vegetation, the protection of significant turtle nesting areas, community education, changes to beach access, sand nourishment and seawall construction. Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter said he encouraged locals and stakeholders to have their say on the future of the plan, now open for public consultation. “Port Hedland’s coastline is susceptible to cyclones, erosion and rising (sea) levels,” he said. “We need to know how to take action to manage these increasingly intense risk factors,” he said. “The Town is proud to join other WA local governments in actively responding to coastal hazards, compelled by the State Government policies and guidelines. “The draft CFMP translates complex information into key management actions for council, the Town and our stakeholders to work towards. The plan aims to protect the coastline into the future over a 100-year time frame.