C.Y. O’Connor Beach, North Coogee - How we adapt to coastal changes

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Consultation has concluded

Background

The City’s beaches and coastline are invaluable natural and community assets. Our beaches are however vulnerable to natural processes such as erosion and inundation.

C.Y. O’Connor Beach has experienced persistent erosion since the late 1990s. Coastal engineering studies have identified that erosion will continue and the shoreline will recede further, putting assets and beach amenities at risk. The impacts of rising sea levels driven by climate change will further exacerbate the problem, with much of the foreshore lost if no action is taken.

Recently, due to erosion, certain portions of the dual-use path adjacent to the beach became compromised

Background

The City’s beaches and coastline are invaluable natural and community assets. Our beaches are however vulnerable to natural processes such as erosion and inundation.

C.Y. O’Connor Beach has experienced persistent erosion since the late 1990s. Coastal engineering studies have identified that erosion will continue and the shoreline will recede further, putting assets and beach amenities at risk. The impacts of rising sea levels driven by climate change will further exacerbate the problem, with much of the foreshore lost if no action is taken.

Recently, due to erosion, certain portions of the dual-use path adjacent to the beach became compromised and subsequently required relocation. Between 2016 and 2018, the City has invested approximately $300,000 in sand replenishment works. Sand replenishment, also known as beach nourishment, is a process where sand is added to a beach or coastal area that has experienced erosion. This replenishes the lost sand and creates a usable beach area.

The City is currently investigating more sustainable and long-term options to mitigate the impact of erosion. The various treatments available may have differing effects on the beach and its usage. To help the City understand how to best adapt and plan for the future of C.Y. O'Connor Beach, the City asked residents to share what they value about this beach and how they envisage its future. This information will guide our exploration and enable us to identify options that align with our community's vision for the beach.

What our community said

The City heard from over 320 people during the feedback period (October to December 2019), and this project page was visited 680 times. Participants had their say at our community workshops, interview sessions, and via our survey, community discussion board and email. Key findings include:

  • Most respondents are regular visitors to C.Y. O'Connor Beach and understand the ongoing coastal vulnerability challenges.
  • Popular activities among visitors include dog walking, swimming, and exercising.
  • Preserving a sandy beach and direct access to the water are our community's top priorities for the beach's future.
  • Respondents support implementing measures that align with these priorities and ensure continued enjoyment of their favourite beach activities well into the future.

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

The City has engaged engineers specialising in coastal erosion to further research and assess this section of our coast. Feedback from the consultation process will help to guide potential long-term adaptation measures we implement at C.Y. O'Connor Beach.

More Information

Consultation has concluded

  • Project Update - March 2022

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    We're taking action

    Starting in March 2022, the City of Cockburn will install a 100-meter long engineered fringing reef at C.Y. O’Connor Beach as part of a coastal management trial project. This fringing reef is the first of its kind in Australia and aims to slow erosion rates by breaking down wave energy before it reaches the shore. The reef consists of 135 precast concrete modules that will be installed offshore in front of Rollinson Road.

    Unlike more conventional seawalls and groynes, the fringing reef is expected to have minimal impact on the beach while enhancing marine habitat. The reef's performance and its impact on the surrounding coastline will be monitored over the next few years by the City of Cockburn and the University of Western Australia (UWA).

    The project is part-funded by the WA Department of Transport Coastal Adaptation and Protection grant scheme, and the reef has been designed and built by Henderson-based Subcon, with coastal engineering support from M P Rogers & Associates and UWA.

    In addition to the reef, the City will also bury a Geotextile Sand Container (GSC) wall into the beach and revegetate the onshore dunes as an erosion backstop measure to protect park assets during rare super-storm events. Sand replenishment will also take place on the south side of the Catherine Point Groyne to address beach erosion before winter. The GSC wall and revegetation are part-funded by a Coastwest grant from the WA Planning Commission.

    More information

    To find out more, visit the City of Cockburn website.

  • Project Update - February 2020

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    Thank you for your feedback

    The City heard from over 320 people during the feedback period (October to December 2019), and this project page was visited 680 times. Participants had their say at our community workshops, interview sessions, and via our survey, community discussion board and email.

    You said

    "CY O’Connor Beach is a welcoming place for all walks of life, including people, dogs, horses and all sorts. The beach is loved by all and accessible for all. We value our beach walks, swimming, its history admiring the sunsets and finding some shade on a hot day. We would like to see a long-term solution to maintaining ‘our place’ far into the future while retaining its natural character as much as possible."

    Our research at C.Y. O'Connor Beach revealed that the majority of respondents are frequent visitors who understand the ongoing challenges of coastal vulnerability. Visitors primarily enjoy dog walking, swimming, and exercising. The community values preserving a sandy beach and direct access to the water as top priorities for the beach's future. Respondents strongly support implementing erosion mitigation measures that will enable continued enjoyment of these favourite beach activities.

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

    Next steps

    The City has engaged engineers specialising in coastal erosion to further research and assess this section of our coast. Feedback from the consultation process will help to guide potential long-term adaptation measures we implement at C.Y. O'Connor Beach.