Coastal Management Plan Review

Plan for long-term protection of coastal reserves from Ocean Beach to Peaceful Bay - adopted by Council

Looking to the future of our coastline, the Shire of Denmark has completed its review and update of its Coastal Reserves Management Plan 2024-2034 which concerns the Shire’s four coastal reserves: Ocean Beach, Parry Beach, Boat Harbour and Peaceful Bay reserves.

The comprehensive new plan outlines the priorities for monitoring, intervention and forward planning to ensure the reserves are cared for and protected in line with community expectations and the unique environmental, social and cultural values specific to each reserve.

By adopting the updated plan, Council is committed to ensuring ongoing maintenance, protection and enhancement of our infrastructure and natural assets within our coastal reserves, particularly as pressures on these sites increase.

“Whether it be due to climate change or increased recreational use due to the growth of our population and of tourism, it’s important we have a plan in place that can help us make the right strategic decisions to look after our coastal reserves for future generations to be able to enjoy,” Denmark Shire President Kingsley Gibson said.

The review process involved extensive community engagement to ensure those who live and work in the Shire of Denmark got the chance to contribute to the 10-year management plan. The Coastal Reserves Management Plan (2024) was successfully put to Council for adoption at the June OCM.

The plan incorporates coastal hazard assessments which monitor erosion and inundation that may impact on infrastructure and allows for strategic forward planning to mitigate and adapt.

This project is co-funded by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage through a Coastal Management Plan grant.

Community Consultation

The Shire engaged a consultant, Land Insights in collaboration with Seashore Engineering, to deliver the review and associated community consultation which flowed on from the Parry Beach Master Planning community consultation.

Participation from the community with the review involved any or all of the following:

• Community Survey - closed
• Community Workshops - completed
• Q&A Community Information Session - completed
• Public Comment - 7th December - 31st January 2024 - closed

The first Community Workshop was held on Wednesday 24th May at the Shire of Denmark administration office Reception Room facilitated by Liz Jack. This initial workshop introduced the project to the community and explored values and key issues of each of the Shire's coastal reserves. Outcomes of the Community Consultation Workshop can be found under Key Documents.

The Coastal Reserves Management Plan Review Community Survey provided an opportunity for community members to identify the coastal assets that are most important to them. The survey was open for a period of 6 weeks which closed on Wednesday 31st May. There were 140 respondents to the survey - the Community Survey Responses Report can be found under Key Documents.

The Coastal Reserves Q & A Information Session was held over two days from 11th-12th December providing community members with the opportunity to drop-in, discuss and ask questions regarding the Draft Coastal Reserves Management Plan.

The Draft Coastal Reserves Management Plan was out for Public Comment for a period of 6 weeks from 7th December to 31st January 2024. The Plan and the Community Feedback Survey Responses Report can be accessed under Key Documents.