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Coastal studies
Find a range of studies to inform and assist with coastal infrastructure planning and coastal hazard management.
Assessment of Coastal Erosion Hotspots in Western Australia
The Assessment of Coastal Erosion Hotspots in WA study identified locations where coastal erosion is expected to have a significant impact on public and private property or infrastructure in the next 25 years.
The statewide study was national first and identified 55 coastal erosion hotspots in WA — 15 in the Perth metropolitan area and 40 in regional areas.
An additional 31 locations (8 metropolitan, 23 regional) have been placed on a watch-list for future monitoring and investigation.
The assessment was commissioned to help evaluate the scale and extent of coastal erosion in Western Australia and demonstrate how the risk to the natural and man-made environment at each location is expected to increase over time.
By better understanding risk, local coastal managers can make informed decisions that support sustainable land use and development.
The CoastWA program aims to address the findings and recommendations of the Assessment of Coastal Erosion Hotspots in Western Australia.
Download the information sheet below for more information on the study findings, recommendations, and hotspot locations.
Sea level studies
The Department of Transport (DoT) conducted a study of sea level changes for coastal planning purposes.
A decision support tool for estimating sea level rise is also available from the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystem Cooperative Research Centre.
| Sea level change in Western Australia report | Kb | |
Coastal hazard studies
DoT has conducted a number of coastal hazard research projects in Western Australia.
Design event selection for erosion hazard assessments: West and South coast of WA
This study provides regionally appropriate recommendations to assist with the assessment of coastal erosion risk for South West WA.
The study supports application of the design storm approach to coastal hazard assessment following the Western Australian State Planning Policy 2.6: State Coastal Planning Policy.
| Design event selection for erosion hazard assessments: West and South coast of WA | Kb |
Local coastal hazard assessment: Generic scope
This generic scope of works was developed to help coastal managers to predict in detail and quantify coastal hazards in a location where existing development is at risk of being affected within 25 years.
| Local coastal hazard assessment: Generic scope | Kb |
Two Rocks summer wrack accumulation study
This study assessed the excess seagrass and seaweed wrack accumulation at Two Rocks southern beaches during summer.
A fixed monitoring camera was used to identify when accumulated seagrass and seaweed wrack cleared naturally from the beach during the problematic summer season.
The study aimed to identify specific combinations of tides, winds, currents, and waves in summer that coincided with wrack clearing in the photo record.
City of Wanneroo were closely consulted in this investigation.
The study identified potential tidal conditions for wrack clearing, assisting the City's planned wrack management trials.
| Two Rocks Southern Beaches: Summer Wrack Clearing Events report | Kb | |
Coastline movement data
DoT expanded the state-wide dataset of historical coastline movements between 2016 and 2018, with additional updates added again up to 2020.
The data will assist coastal managers, planners and developers throughout the State.
| Capturing the coastline: Mapping coastlines in WA over 75 years | Kb | |
Coastal sediment cells
DoT and the Geological Survey of WA conducted several studies of coastal sediment cells for the Vlamingh, Mid-West, Northampton and Pilbara regions.
The aim was to identify a hierarchy of sediment cells for planning, management, engineering, science and governance of the WA coast.
Sediment cells are natural management units that identify sections of the coast where sediment transport processes are strongly related.
Each sediment cell is a collection of marine and terrestrial landforms, inter-related by sediment transport between them.
They include areas of sediment supply (sources), sediment loss (sinks) and areas through which sediment is moved between sources and sinks (pathways).
Sediment cells can be used to:
- conceptualise the spatial context for coastal evaluations
- provide a visual framework for communicating about the coast
- support coastal management decision making
- support a range of technical uses largely relating to coastal stability assessment
- reduce problems caused by selection of arbitrary or jurisdictional boundaries.
Full reports and the spatial data sets can be downloaded below. (You will need to download Google Earth to view the spatial data set).
Geology, geomorphology and vulnerability studies
DoT commissioned the study of the geology, geomorphology and vulnerability of various coastal shires in Western Australia.
The studies aimed to identify sediment cells that could affect land use decisions for the development of the area.
How to photo monitor beaches
A guide has been made available on how to photo monitor beaches, helping coastal managers better understand changes occurring at their beaches.
| How to photo monitor beaches | Kb | |