The City of Stirling has released its draft Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) report, with some areas along the coast designated at extreme risk of coastal erosion subject to the City adopting adaptation measures around as early as 2045.
CHRMAP is a strategic, long-term plan that guides the response to existing and potential risks of coastal hazards, assessed at 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-year horizons.
Beaches, dunes, jetties, footpaths, community spaces and amenities, services, utilities and major infrastructure (such as West Coast Drive) are at risk from coastal erosion and inundation hazards over the next 100 years, with risk increasing as projected sea level rise takes effect.
Mayor Mark Irwin said that the report highlights the state of Western Australia’s coastline based on the latest scientific data and geophysical investigations. It makes several recommendations, including:
At the June 2022 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) annual conference, Mayor Mark Irwin moved a motion calling on the Federal Government to provide funding to local governments who will need to prepare coastal areas for the increased risks of a changing climate.
According to the city, it was unanimously supported.