Bluff Point Coastal Adaptation Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs have been compiled to help inform local residents, land holders and other stakeholders about the project. Should additional questions be raised, these questions along with their responses will be added to this page.
Should you have any questions that are not answered below, please submit them by completing the Question/Feedback Form
Questions
What is the project about?
Who's involved in the project?
What are coastal hazards?
What are the main coastal hazards at Bluff Point?
Why are coastal adaptation options being explored for Bluff Point?
How are the community and key stakeholders involved?
Webinar
Coastal Assets Survey
Community Drop-In Sessions
How does my input count?
What is multi-criteria analysis?
What is a Benefit Distribution Analysis?
How long will the project take?
Who makes the final decision on which coastal adaptation measure will be implemented?
Who do I contact about the project?
WEBINAR QUESTIONS
What is ‘managed retreat’ and is it something that is being considered for Bluff Point?
Would a seawall need to extend the entire 2.5 km length of Bluff Point?
Does the cost-benefit analysis consider financial as well as social and environmental factors?
Will the cost estimates include the cost of moving Water Corporation assets?
Will people who live in the area be required to help fund the coastal adaptation in the form of rates?
Did ratepayers pay for the Beresford Foreshore Coastal Protection works?
Has the Beresford Foreshore Project set a precedent?
Questions
What is the project about?
This project is focussing on coastal adaptation planning for the Bluff Point locality. Its aim is to identify a long-term adaptation pathway to manage the impacts of coastal hazards at Bluff Point. The long-term adaptation pathway will allow timely decision making for planning an on-ground actions to manage the coastal hazard. Back
Who's involved in the project?
City officers are leading the project and have engaged a group of consultants to undertake the work including: Coastal Engineering specialist (M P Rogers), Community Engagement specialists (361 Degrees) and Environment Economic specialist (Aither). A Project Steering Committee comprising representatives from the City, Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, Department of Transport, and the local community has also been established to oversee the project. Back
What are coastal hazards?
The coastline is a dynamic zone where the atmosphere, ocean and land interact. Waves, tides, ocean currents and wind all contribute energy to form and shape the coast over short, medium and long-term time scales. Coastal hazards are coastal processes that have the potential to impact social and environmental values and damage infrastructure assets. Back
What is the main coastal hazard at Bluff Point?
The City’s Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) report identified erosion as the main coastal hazard impacting Bluff Point. This report identified that a number of City, State and community assets are at risk between now and 2030. This means important adaptation decisions are likely to be made at Bluff Point sooner rather than later. Back
Why are coastal adaptation options being explored for Bluff Point?
The City completed its CHRMAP report in 2018. Whilst this report provided a general managed retreat pathway for the Bluff Point locality, the report recommended that the City should investigate whether there is a preferred adaptation pathway from the following approaches: managed retreat, do nothing or protect. On completion of this project the CHRMAP report recommends that the preferred adaptation pathway is presented to Council for formal endorsement. Back
How are the community and key stakeholders involved?
The City has been seeking further input from the community and key stakeholders to that already undertaken during the City’s Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) process. Community and environmental values for the coast are being confirmed via the engagement process. A preferred adaptation will be identified by assessing each of the options against the identified community, environmental and economic values. Back
Webinar
On Thursday 10 October 2024 at 6pm our project partners M P Rogers and 361 Degrees hosted a community webinar. The webinar provided an overview of the coastal adaptation process and some initial considerations for shaping the design and development of coastal adaptation options for Bluff Point. Back You can watch a recording of the webinar here. Back
Coastal Assets Survey
A short survey regarding the coastal assets at Bluff Point was conducted at the end of the webinar. The results of the survey will help validate community values that need to be considered in the project.
Community drop-in sessions
On 4 December 2024, community drop-in sessions were held to share the adaptation options with resident property owners and project stakeholders. During these sessions attendees had the opportunity to view the plans, provide feedback and discuss the options with project representatives. Property owners and stakeholders unable to attend the session can provide their feedback using an online form here. Back
How does my input count?
Feedback received from the Bluff Point Coastal Asset Survey and gathered at the drop-in sessions will be used to shape the values to be used in a multi-criteria analysis of the adaptation options. From the multi-criteria assessment a preferred adaptation option will be identified. A benefit distribution analysis will be undertaken on the preferred adaptation pathway, and a report prepared for consideration by Council in early to mid-2025. Back
What is multi-criteria analysis?
For this project Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) involves assessing different coastal adaptation options against a wide range of factors including community, social, and environmental values, effectiveness, feasibility and cost. These factors are weighted by importance and each adaptation option is scored against these factors to identify a preferred (most beneficial) option across all criteria.
The Community webinar will provide information on these and links to resources where you can find out more. Back
What is a Benefit Distribution Analysis?
For this project a Benefit Distribution Analysis (BDA) involves assessing how the benefits of the preferred adaptation options are distributed among local community, businesses, City and State government entities, and other key stakeholders. It also apportions the costs of chosen adaptation responses based on the beneficiary pays principle, meaning those that benefit from adaptation responses, in particular protection works, will need to help fund their construction and ongoing maintenance. This ensures that the long term adaptation pathway not only addresses the coastal hazards but also delivers value to the community as a whole. Back
How long will the project take?
The Project is scheduled to be completed in mid 2025. Back
Who makes the final decision on which coastal adaptation measure will be implemented?
The results of the community engagement and recommendations report will be presented to Council to confirm the long-term adaptation pathway for the Bluff Point locality. Back
Who do I contact about the project?
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, complete a Questions/Feedback Form or contact the City’s Customer Contact Centre at (08) 9956 6600 or by email at council@cgg.wa.gov.au. Back
Webinar Questions
The following questions were asked and answered during the webinar.
What is ‘managed retreat’ and is it something that is being considered for Bluff Point?
Managed retreat is an option that involves progressively removing assets and infrastructure that are subject to intolerable risk of damage from coastal hazards. While managed retreat is something the project is required to consider, it is not necessarily required to implement it. Back
Would a seawall need to extend the entire 2.5 km length of Bluff Point?
The length of the seawall would depend on what assets or infrastructure need to be protected. There are other protection options such as groynes and headlands that could achieve a similar outcome. Back
Does the cost-benefit analysis consider financial as well as social and environmental factors?
Yes, the cost-benefit analysis will consider financial, social, and environmental factors. It evaluates the desirability of a project by comparing total benefits against total costs, as will the multi-criteria analysis. Back
Will the cost estimates include the cost of moving Water Corporation assets?
Yes, the cost estimates will include the total costs, including the cost of relocating any utility assets like the Water Corporation facilities. Back
Will people who live in the area be required to help fund the coastal adaptation in the form of rates?
The Benefit Distribution Analysis, required by the state government, will help identify the beneficiaries of the coastal adaptation treatment selected. The final decision on how the costs of the coastal adaptation works will be distributed amongst the beneficiaries and grant funding opportunities will ultimately be determined by Council. Back
Did ratepayers pay for the Beresford Foreshore Coastal Protection works?
The $23.1 million Beresford Foreshore Coastal Protection Works and Enhancement Project was jointly funded by the State Government through the Royalties for Regions Grants Scheme, the Mid West Development Commission and the Mid West Ports Authority with the City contributing $1.8 million in funding towards amenities. The business case for the grant submission did not require a Benefit Distribution Analysis to be completed. Back
Has the Beresford Foreshore Project set a precedent?
Each coastal adaptation project is assessed on its individual merits, and the requirements of any grant funding opportunities. Support tools like the Benefit Distribution Analysis and Multi-Criteria Analysis are increasingly being used to guide the decision-making process. Back
Should you have any questions that are not answered above please submit them by completing the Question/Feedback Form