Coastal management

Coastal hazard areas require planning and development measures including notification on certificates of title and coastal risk management planning before land subdivision. All coastal local governments in Western Australia must adhere to State Planning Policy 2.6, guiding sustainable coastal management. For details on how this policy impacts property owners, refer to the Coastal Vulnerability FAQs (PDF) and the City’s Coastal Local Planning Policy (PDF). 

The City undertakes many activities including: 

• Rehabilitating dunes, including revegetation with native species, weed control and fencing. 
• Installing access ways, paths and signage. 
• Feral animal control. 
• Fire management. 
• Waste management.
• Sand stabilisation and sand drift management. 
• Sand bypassing program – annually moving around 8,000m3 of sand that builds up on the beach to the south of Hillarys Boat Harbour, and moving it to the beach that has eroded on the north side of Hillarys Boat Harbour. 
• Maintaining existing seawalls and groynes. 
• Completing annual coastal monitoring and opportunistic storm monitoring to monitor shoreline movement over time. 

There are a number of ways to help care for beaches and coastal areas, such as: 

• Join your local coastal Friends Group and help to rehabilitate the coastal reserves. 
• Report any sick or injured marine animals or other wildlife to the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055. 
• Not clear or prune any vegetation and/or remove individual plants from coastal areas. 
• Stay out of the dunes to protect native vegetation from being trampled and destroyed. 
• Abide by the City’s designated dog exercise areas. Hillarys Dog Beach is the only beach where dogs can be exercised off lead. Dogs are permitted on lead along the coastal dual use path from Burns Beach to Marmion Beach.  
• Stay on pathways and ensure you have clean footwear with no soil or other material when visiting any of the City’s coastal parklands and reserves to help reduce the risk of spreading plant diseases. 
• Remove any litter you find. You could organise or participate in a Clean Up Australia Day event for your local beach. 
• Not drive off-road vehicles along beaches or in the dunes. 
• Abide by abalone fishing restrictions, season dates and requirements and only access the beach using formal paths and accessways. 
• Report suspicious behaviour to the Police on 131 444 or if you see a fire phone 000. 

Dune systems behind beaches support native vegetation, act as erosion buffers and are protected coastal foreshore reserves. These reserves are vital for conservation, with most designated as Bush Forever. They house threatened and priority ecological communities, as well as plant and animal species. The City's coastal foreshore reserves are habitats for various plants and animals, including birds, reptiles, invertebrates and mammals. They also serve as resting and breeding grounds for numerous seabirds, including migratory species protected by international treaties. The City acknowledges the potential impact of future climate changes and sea-level rise on its coastal areas and is actively evaluating coastal hazards and planning responses.

A majority of the offshore waters of the City’s coastline are part of the Marmion Marine Park. The Marine Park covers 9500ha between Trigg Island and Burns Beach and protects a chain of inshore limestone reefs and islands and a range of marine life. The Marmion Marine Park is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). 

To view the City’s coastal management plans visit the publications page.