Bluff Point Coastal Adaptation Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs have been compiled to help inform land holders 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?
Who's involved in the project?
How are the community and key stakeholders involved?
Webinar
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?
Where can I get more information about the project?
Who do I contact about the project?
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
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
How are the community and key stakeholders involved?
The City is 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. The City wants to identify if community and environmental values for the coast have changed or if more need to be added. A preferred adaptation will be identified by assessing each of the options against the identified community, environmental and economic values. Back
Webinar
On Wednesday 18 September 2024 at 6pm our project partners M P Rogers and 361 Degrees will be hosting a community webinar. The webinar will provide 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 join the webinar and secure your participation
Community drop-in sessions
Community drop-in sessions will be held in late October/early November 2024 to share up to four adaptation concept plans. During these sessions, you will have the opportunity to view the plans, provide feedback and discuss the options with project representatives. The City will notify you once the dates and times for these sessions have been confirmed. Back
How does my input count?
Feedback gathered at the drop-in sessions will be used to shape the values to be used in a multi-criteria analysis of the four 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 early 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
Where can I get more information about the project?
For more information, please visit . 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