
Million-dollar upgrade coming to WA beach
Mayor Caroline Knight said the seawall was first built in the late 1990s.
'The Town Beach seawall has been prone to damage during storms, posing safety risks to the community and threatening nearby infrastructure,' she said.
'Over the years we've had to carry out multiple emergency repairs, so this upgrade will stop the patch jobs and provide a long-term solution.'
Ms Knight said work on the seawall would reinforce the 200m stretch of seawall in front of the Town Beach carpark on Breakwater Parade, along the front of Seashells Resort, and up to the other Town Beach carpark off Dolphin Drive, with works beginning early next year.
The current seawall is about 380m long and is constructed from limestone rock.
'Town Beach is one of Mandurah's most exposed coastal locations — this will protect vital community assets including a dual-use path, carparks and the Seashells Resort,' Ms Knight said.
'We want to ensure Town Beach continues to be safe, accessible and enjoyed by locals and visitors for generations to come.
'We're proud to be working with the State Government to protect the places that people love.' City of Mandurah CEO Casey Mihovilovich and Mandurah MLA Rhys Williams. Credit: Supplied
Mandurah MLA Rhys Williams said the funding was an investment in practical, climate-smart infrastructure that would keep Town Beach safe and vibrant for decades to come.
'Town Beach is one of the community's favourite gathering spots, yet its ageing seawall has been flirting with failure for years,' he said.
'This funding means we can shore up the wall and avoid the heartbreaking beach closures we've seen elsewhere when infrastructures gives way.'
Since 2020, the CoastWA grants program has invested more than $25.4m across 246 coastal projects to combat the impact of a changing climate on WA's coastline.
This year, more than $3m will be shared across 27 projects to safeguard WA's coastline from critical coastal hazards.
Among the work in Mandurah, other key projects include renourishment to the City of Wanneroo's Quinns Beach and Yanchep Lagoon, dune stabilisation along Perth's northern coastline and a review of the Shire of Ashburton's Onslow Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan.
The State Government will also provide one-off emergency funding to the Shire of Gingin in response to rapid erosion threatening Lancelin coastlines. Sand erosion near the Lancelin Sands Hotel, with tens of metres of sand washed away this year. Credit: 7NEWS
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said continuing to find ways to protect and build WA's beaches and foreshores was vital.
'This latest round of CoastWA grants will support the development of important management plans and implementation of on-ground projects to deliver long term outcomes for our coastline,' she said.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the grants supported existing coastal planning and management strategies for diverse and fragile coastal areas.
'The grants are part of our government's $33.5m commitment to protect and maintain WA's spectacular 20,000 km coastline,' he said.
'The success of CoastalWA is heavily driven by the ongoing partnerships with local governments and community groups.'
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