$1million State support for Quinns Beach groynes

5/11/02
The State Government will provide $1million to ensure Quinns Beach remains intact.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the funding would help the City of Wanneroo build three groynes to protect Quinns Beach and replenish the depleted beach with sand.
Ms MacTiernan said the funding would enable two of the groynes to be built this summer before the winter storms, which each year threatened to undermine the northern car park.
"This project will ensure that local people still have a beach and that the carpark and road are not washed into the sea," she said.
"The project has been thoroughly investigated and has the support of the community.
"Unfortunately, in the past we have not planned sufficiently for the natural volatility of the coastline and now must take remedial action.
"It is possible that a fourth groyne may be required in five to eight years if erosion continues north of these three groynes. However, a natural headland will control further northward drift of sand."
Wanneroo MLA Dianne Guise welcomed the announcement as an important breakthrough.
"Wanneroo has been trying for years to win Government support for a long-term solution to erosion problems at the beach," Ms Guise said.
"This beach is very important to people in the northern suburbs and we must protect it and keep it safe."
City of Wanneroo Mayor Jon Kelly said negotiations for a funding commitment from the State Government for the $3million project were delicate and at times uncertain. Following today's announcement, he was pleased with the
positive outcome.
"This strong level of State Government funding will now allow the City of Wanneroo to get started on this important project," Mr Kelly said.
"A public meeting at Quinns Rocks in August ended with full support for the groyne plan and I am sure residents will welcome the resolution to this serious problem with open arms."
Mr Kelly thanked the State Government and particularly Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan for the funding commitment earlier in the year to deal with the emergency coastal protection works at Quinns Rocks, and for the collection and storage of limestone boulders for the future construction of groynes.
He added that the coastal protection project would mean important annual savings for the City of Wanneroo. The construction of groynes was expected to save about $100,000 each year in sand replenishment costs.
Two groynes were expected to be completed by this Christmas, the third by December 2003, sand replenishment in 2004 with minor adjustments in 2005.
Minister's Office - 9213 6400