Background
In the context of climate change, sea level rise, increased coastal inundation and erosion, the Western Australia Government introduced the Western Australian Planning Commission’s State Planning Policy No. 2.6: State Coastal Planning Policy (WAPC, 2013, herein referred to as “SPP2.6”). SPP2.6 requires that the responsible management authority prepares a CHRMAP where existing or proposed assets or infrastructure may be at risk from coastal hazards over the planning timeframe.
To gain a greater understanding of long-term coastal risk hazard risk, as well as to enable planning for the future provision of public infrastructure within the foreshore, the City of Albany engaged specialist coastal engineers M P Rogers & Associates Pty Ltd (MRA) to complete a CHRMAP for public assets at Frenchman Bay.
The CHRMAP identifies the existing foreshore reserve at Frenchman Bay to be imminently at risk of coastal hazard impacts. Areas at risk include existing vehicle access, parking, boat launching and recreational facilities. The CHRMAP also presents the results of investigations into the potential extent of impacts from coastal processes over a variety of planning horizons. Identified coastal hazard risks may then be used to guide future site management in the context of coastal hazards and inform Foreshore Management activities at Frenchman Bay.
It is important to note that the CHRMAP proposes ‘Managed Retreat’ of assets as they are actively impacted by coastal erosion.
For more information on SPP 2.6 and the CHRMAP process, please refer to the Frenchman Bay CHRMAP FAQ’s.
How to make comment?
The community will be given the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed CHRMAP until COB Friday 1 March 2024.
The draft CHRMAP is attached for inspection and comments on the document may be submitted to the local government in writing at the City of Albany North Road Office at 102 North Road or via email to [email protected].
FAQs
What is a CHRMAP?
A CHRMAP is a long-term plan to address the impact of coastal hazards on our coastline. It looks at various hazard scenarios within 20-, 40-, 60-, 80- and 100-year timeframes and, with input from the community and key stakeholders, identifies the most appropriate adaptation strategies and options.
What do you mean by ‘coastal hazards’?
When we say ‘coastal hazards’ we mean, naturally occurring events that impact our coastline, such as coastal erosion or flooding (also referred to as inundation).
Erosion is a process where parts of the shoreline are worn away due to waves, tides, wind or human activities. It can change the shape and form of the coast, reducing the area between the ocean and features on the land, and even allowing inundation.
Inundation is when water occupies previously dry land. It can be temporary or permanent:
- Permanent inundation refers to the loss of land due to sea level rise.
- Temporary inundation is the flooding of an area due to storm surge, high tides or large waves.
What is shaping Frenchman Bay?
Frenchman Bay is a curved 700m long north-facing beach located between Vancouver Point to the west and Waterbay Point to the east (includes an access path to the beach, which is located on the south east side of the Waterbay Point).
The natural processes that shape Frenchman Bays the harbour’s shoreline, include ocean water level variations due to tides and storm surge and locally generated wind waves (seas). These factors can combine during rare storm events to cause significant change to vulnerable shorelines (such as Frenchman Bay due to sandy geology) in a short period of time. Underlying sea level rise is expected to amplify these shaping processes into the future, leading to a gradual retreat of shorelines that are susceptible to erosion and coastal flooding extents.
How will the community be involved?
We will likely be seeking input from the community at various points of the future planning stage for the Frenchman Bay foreshore, however, please note that this is a long term project.
The City requests your input on the results of the CHRMAP at this stage however, there will likely be an opportunity for the community to comment on their values and aspirations for the foreshore as the project progresses.
Is this project similar to the Emu Point to Middleton Beach CHRMAP?
Yes, this project is similar to the Emu Point to Middleton Beach CHRMAP, however it is for a different study area (the Frenchman Bay Foreshore) and does not impact on existing development or residences. This CHRMAP relates solely to the public assets on the Frenchman Bay foreshore.
I don’t believe climate change is real, therefore I don’t understand why we need a CHRMAP?
Regardless of whether you believe climate change to be real or not, our coastline and the assets that are situated along it are in need of protection in case of a threatening coastal hazard event.
Are there examples of other CHRMAPs that I can look at?
Apart from the Emu Point to Middleton Beach CHRMAP there are many examples and these can be found via the following link: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2023-11/chrmaps-in-wa-table-nov-2023.pdf