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Coogee Maritime Trail - What are your views on motorised vessels near the trail?

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Consultation has concluded

The City of Cockburn is home to the award-winning and increasingly popular Coogee Maritime Trail, an underwater dive and snorkel trail at the northern end of Coogee Beach. The trail includes the historically significant and federally protected Omeo Shipwreck, located only 25m from shore. The trail is an important community and tourist area for everyone to enjoy. User safety, and maintaining the shipwreck is the City’s priority. 

View a map of the Coogee Maritime Trail in the Document Library. 

Use of motorised vessels 

The Department of Transport (DoT) is responsible for regulating the use of moorings and motorised vessels

The City of Cockburn is home to the award-winning and increasingly popular Coogee Maritime Trail, an underwater dive and snorkel trail at the northern end of Coogee Beach. The trail includes the historically significant and federally protected Omeo Shipwreck, located only 25m from shore. The trail is an important community and tourist area for everyone to enjoy. User safety, and maintaining the shipwreck is the City’s priority. 

View a map of the Coogee Maritime Trail in the Document Library. 

Use of motorised vessels 

The Department of Transport (DoT) is responsible for regulating the use of moorings and motorised vessels along the City's coastline. In most areas, motorised vessels must travel at a maximum speed of 8 knots (roughly 15 km/hr) within 200m of the shore. 

However, there are specific restrictions around the trail. Motorised vessels are not allowed within 100m of the shore (between the Napoleon Parade groyne and just south of Coogee Beach jetty). To help users navigate these restrictions, markers have been placed in the area. 

View the existing boating conditions in Figure 1 in the Document Library. 

Have your say 

The City is exploring community perspectives on boats, jet-skis, and moorings near the trail and wants to hear the community's views on the following proposals: 

  • Install three moorings in the '8-knot' area near the Maritime Trail as part of a six-month trial.

Refer to Figure 2 in the Document Library.

The City applied for a grant to install seasonal moorings in the 8-knot area near the trail. This initiative aimed to minimise risks to swimmers and reduce damage caused by boat anchors. This would be achieved by encouraging vessels to stay in designated areas and providing them with a secure location to berth at a safe distance from the trail.

Subject to approvals, this could be implemented in 2023 or 2024 and can be removed if the 8-knots area is removed in the future.

  • Advocate for DoT to remove the '8 knot' area (between the Omeo Shipwreck and the eco-friendly shark barrier) and make this area boat and jet-ski prohibited.

Refer to Figure 3 in the Document Library.

The City is considering this proposal in response to community concerns about swimmer safety near the trail, however this change could take up to seven years to implement. The Department of Transport (DoT) is the decision-maker on this matter and this information will help the City understand whether DoT should be lobbied for these changes. 


How to participate

Comments closes 4pm Thursday 8 June 2023
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Complete the feedback form below
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Feedback forms are available at City of Cockburn: 
Libraries (Coolbellup, Spearwood and Success)
Marina Office (5 Maraboo Loop, North Coogee)
Administration Building (9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood).


Consultation has concluded

  • Project Update - August 2023

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    Council decision

    The City this month presented a report on the consultation findings to Council. Considering the community’s feedback, Council decided:

    • Not to trial moorings in the ‘8-knot’ area near the Coogee Maritime Trial
    • The City will advocate to the Department of Transport (DoT) to remove the '8-knot' area between the Omeo Shipwreck and the eco-friendly shark barrier, making it boat and jet-ski prohibited.

    Thank you for having your say.

    More information

    To read the Council meeting minutes, visit the City of Cockburn website.

    For any further enquiries, please contact the City’s Coastal Management and Planning Team at 08 9411 3444 or [email protected]

  • Project Update – June 2023

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Thank you for your feedback

    We recently asked for your thoughts about boats and jet-skis near the Coogee Maritime Trail. We heard from nearly 250 people and organisations. Thank you for having your say.

    What our community said

    • The vast majority of respondents visit the trail to swim, snorkel, and walk along the beach. Boating and fishing user groups were in the minority of respondents.
    • The majority of respondents (72%) do not support the trial of moorings in the existing 8-knot boating zone. They believe this will negatively impact swimmer safety.
    • The majority of respondents (77%) support the City advocating for the Department of Transport to remove the 8-knot boating zone. They believe this will enhance swimmer safety.
    • There is a divergence in opinions between boat users and non-boat users.
    • Boat users are more inclined to support a trial of moorings in the existing 8-knot boating zone compared to non-boat users. They believe this will improve swimmer safety by providing a safe mooring location and protect the seabed from anchors.
    • Boat users are more likely to oppose the City advocating for the Department of Transport to remove the 8-knot boating zone, compared to non-boat users. They believe the current exclusion zone of 100m from shore is a sufficient distance from swimmers, and the 200m exclusion area is excessive and impractical.


    For more information, view the Community Feedback Summary in the Document Library.

    Next steps

    The City is preparing a report which will be presented to Council at a meeting in third-quarter 2023. This report will summarise the consultation findings and recommend the next steps, including whether to lobby the Department of Transport (DoT) for changes to the boat and jet-ski areas. The DoT is responsible for boating regulations, so the City cannot implement the proposals outlined in the consultation without DoT support.

    More information

    Contact the City's Coastal Management, Policy and Planning Team at 08 9411 3444 or [email protected].