The McGowan Government has opened its latest round of coastal grant applications - available to local governments or community groups with projects to protect and improve Western Australia's coastline.
More than $1.6 million of grant funding is available towards projects that address the impact of coastal erosion, deliver local coastal management and monitoring programs or support community initiatives to manage our coast.
The funding will be drawn from two programs. The Coastal Adaptation and Protection grants - administered by the Department of Transport - support projects such as monitoring of coastal changes, asset management, investigation, adaptation and maintenance works that respond to coastal hazards.
Through the Western Australian Planning Commission, applicants can also apply for funding through the Coastal Management Plan Assistance Program or the Coastwest grants program.
These programs provide funding for long-term strategies that address coastal threats - including erosion, population growth, and development - and involve the local community in activities to manage their much-loved coastal areas.
Individual grants of up to $300,000 are available, with more than $1.6 million in funding available across the three grants programs.
Past projects that were awarded grants include management of vulnerable coast between Emu Point and Middleton Beach in Albany, a management plan for coastal reserves in Port Hedland and a school-based program to protect the dunes at Myalup Beach in the South-West.
Infrastructure Australia recently backed the McGowan Government's call for a national, proactive strategy to tackle coastal erosion and protect vulnerable areas.
It has said the strategy, which could include infrastructure such as sea walls and buffer zones, would need to involve all levels of government, including the Federal Government.
More than 50 locations have been identified to be at serious risk of coastal erosion over the next 25 years, and the State Government is committed to supporting local governments and other coastal managers in their planning and management of their local coastline.
To apply for a grant, visit https://dplh.wa.gov.au/cmpap, https://dplh.wa.gov.au/coastwest or http://transport.wa.gov.au/capgrants
Applications close at 5pm on April 6, 2020 for the Coastal Adaptation and Protection grants and 12pm on April 24, 2020 for the Coastal Management Plan Assistance Program and Coastwest grants program.
As stated by Transport and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Our State has an extensive coastline with many coastal communities, so it is vital we support grassroots programs to manage it and plan for the future.
"Western Australians have a strong connection to our iconic coast; it is where we work, live and recreate.
"I'm pleased to provide these grants to support the work of coastal land managers, including local governments and community groups in managing our coastline.
"I encourage local governments and community organisations with a passion and commitment for our coast to consider eligible projects and apply for grant funding.
"We need to continue working together to ensure our coastline is managed and protected for future generations.
"We know that the challenges facing our coastline are not unique to WA and we strongly believe the Federal Government has a greater role to play in co-ordinating a national approach to coastal management."
