THERE’S one surefire way to tell when winter weather has hit Esperance – our normally beautiful foreshore becomes a miniature construction site, with trucks and loaders working around the clock to hold the ocean at bay.
The issue of erosion in Esperance has been a problem for more than two decades – but in all this time, no long-term solution has ever been instituted.
And while the Esperance Shire is keen to come up with a long-term solution to the problem, the issue of funding the project creates more complications.
After high tides last weekend, the foreshore is currently a disaster area with erosion collapsing portions of the beach from Brazier Street right along the Esplanade and Goldfields Road.
Shire President, Ian Mickel, said he found the process of dumping sand on the foreshore each winter to be an act of stupidity, and said a long-term solution needed to be found.
“The current erosion just proves how essential it is to put a rock wall in along the foreshore, as has been done in other sites, such as Portland and Adelaide,” Mr Mickel said.
“I think we have got to get a backstop in place.”
Mr Mickel said one of the main problems the shire was faced with was who would foot the bill – as the responsibility of the foreshore is shared between three agencies: the shire, the Esperance Port Authority, and the State Government.
“Creating a rock wall has been costed up to be a significant amount of money – in the vicinity of $9 million - and there is some discussion over who should pay what percentage that still needs to be resolved.
“Dumping sand in has always been a short term solution, and I believe it is stupidity to continue tipping sand into the sea without putting into place a method of holding it there.”
Mr Mickel said despite the financial limitations placed on the shire, he would still like to see a start made on establishing a rock wall by summer.
“A lot of good research has been done in recent times, and we now have sufficient data to work forward on a design to protect the infrastructure on the foreshore and provide some immunity for the beach.”
Shire CEO, Mal Osborne, echoed Mr Mickel’s concerns, and said he hoped to see a solution reached soon.
Mr Osborne said the Shire and the Port were currently in negotiations to create a rock wall alongside the Tanker Jetty.
“We have made a proposal to the Port, which they are considering. Once we have agreed upon a position we can take this to the State Government.
“We are also trying to determine what split of funding each party should be responsible for.
“The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has been very supportive and patient with us.”
Mr Osborne said it was also important that the solution would not have a negative effect on the Tanker Jetty.
Another issue before the shire was the development of the Foreshore Master Plan – which would see a major makeover for the foreshore area, including a tourism precinct.
Mr Osborne said one of the problems with moving forward with the Foreshore Master Plan was the erosion issue.
“Some elements of the Foreshore Master Plan are dependent on resolving the foreshore erosion issues,” he said.
Mr Osborne said some areas of the plan not subject to erosion may be considered over the next 12 months.
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