Mapping the depth of WA's coast

A project to map the depth of water off Western Australia's coast from Two Rocks to Oakajee is among 14 projects funded by the State Government under its latest round of coastal protection grants.
  • 14 projects awarded more than $1 million in coastal protection grants

  • Important funding to investigate and protect the State's valuable coastline 

A project to map the depth of water off Western Australia's coast from Two Rocks to Oakajee is among 14 projects funded by the State Government under its latest round of coastal protection grants.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Department of Planning would use its $300,000 grant to collect sea depth data that can be used for future coastal planning and management.

The project involves using light detection and ranging technology to measure the difference between the sea surface and the sea bottom. Survey systems are often aircraft mounted. The equipment measures the time delay between the transmission of a pulse and its return signal.

Laser pulses are received at two frequencies: a lower frequency infrared pulse is reflected off the sea surface, while a higher frequency green laser penetrates through the water and reflects off the bottom. Analysis of the two distinct pulses can establish water depths and shoreline elevations. With good water clarity, these systems can reach depths of 50 meters.

"Such equipment is used to collect data in areas with rugged shores where boats cannot operate efficiently or safely because of rocks, seaweed or breaking surf," Mr Nalder said.

The project has been funded under the 2015-16 Coastal Adaptation and Protection grants, with $1,057,500 allocated for construction, design, monitoring or investigation work.

The Town of Cambridge has secured $167,627 for the third stage of its maintenance project for the City Beach groyne, while the Shire of Esperance received $100,000 to replenish sand levels in Esperance Bay near Norseman Road.

"The coastline is one of the State's most valuable assets and these grants foster a partnership between State and local government in work to protect it," the Minister said.

"The projects will provide a better understanding of coastal processes and ensure public coastal assets are protected from the impacts of ocean forces into the future."

Fact File

  • Coastal managers can apply for grants for half the cost of projects

  • The grants program is administered by the Department of Transport, which also provides coastal engineering support and guidance to local governments who are responsible for the management of most of WA's coast

  • For more information, visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/capgrants  

Minister's office - 6552 6400

Coastal Adaptation and Protection Grants 2015-16
Coastal ManagerProjectDescriptionGrant
City of AlbanyEmu Point to Middleton Beach coastal adaptation and protection strategyBeach monitoring, data collection, repair to rock revetment and sand nourishment$54,543
City of Busselton Beach monitoringCollection of beach profile surveys, aerial photos and site photos at Geographe Bay$20,000
City of Busselton Hydrographic surveyOffshore hydrographic survey of Geographe Bay including Dunn Bay sand bar and west of Busselton Jetty$21,000
City of Busselton Maintenance of coastal protection structuresRefurbishment of two timber groynes at Beachlands$70,000
City of CockburnCY O'Connor beach remediationSand nourishment of CY O'Connor beach$75,000
City of JoondalupCoastal monitoring Establishment of monitoring schedule, remote photo monitoring, on ground photo monitoring and beach profiling$21,252
City of WannerooQuinns Beach long term coastal management Stage 3 - detailed designCollection of data, refinement of numerical model and development of detailed design for long term coastal adaptation options$65,000
City of WannerooQuinns Beach nourishment worksSand nourishment of Quinns beach in front of car park and dog beach as interim measure for long term adaptation$66,578
Department of Planning Survey of the WA Coast between Two Rocks and OakajeeCollection of baseline LiDAR bathymetry from Two Rocks to Oakajee$300,000
Shire of Augusta-Margaret RiverPrevelly-Gnarabup coastal erosion investigationWave, water level and current data collection and photo monitoring to understand coastal erosion$44,000
Shire of EsperanceEsperance Bay sand renourishmentNourishment, Norseman Road$100,000
Shire of GinginErosion management at LancelinSand nourishment of beach at Grace Darling Park, Lancelin$37,500
Town of CambridgeCity Beach groyne maintenance Stage 3Stage 3 of City Beach groyne maintenance$167,627
Town of CottesloeCoastal monitoring to Improve understanding of long term coastal change Continued collection of beach surveys, remote photo monitoring and data analysis$15,000
TOTAL  $1,057,500