Capel to Leschenault Coastal Hazard Risk Management Adaptation Plan
The Capel to Leschenault coastline is highly valued by the people who call it home, however the coastline is mobile – it is constantly changing through storm events and the changes that people make to the coastline. There will also be further changes as a result of climate change, such as sea level rise and potentially more severe storm events. Balancing our desire to live near the coast and managing the impacts of coastal processes is becoming more important.
The Peron Naturaliste Partnership, the City of Bunbury and the Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey have partnered with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Southern Ports Authority to develop a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan to understand how these changes can be best managed into the future.
The CHRMAP will improve our understanding of coastal, estuarine and riverine features, coastal processes and the hazards and vulnerability of the coastal zone. It will identify vulnerability trigger points and timeframes for short, medium and long term risk management and adaptation planning, and will develop appropriate adaptation options.
The CHRMAP will provide us with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of how our coastal zones will be impacted in the future and how we can plan for and manage these changes in the City of Bunbury and Shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey. Coastal care and management are the responsibility of all of us who value and use the coast.
Preparation of the draft plans was completed in early 2024.
The final CHRMAP documents for Bunbury, Capel and Dardanup are now available:
City of Bunbury here
Shire of Capel here
Shire of Dardanup here
The Shire of Harvey CHRMAP is awaiting Council Adoption.
Stay tuned for further engagement and ongoing updates about investigations, studies and monitoring by following your relevant local government pages or by keeping an eye on the Peron Naturaliste Partnership website here.
Project Timeframes
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Engagement Activities
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ‘CHRMAP’?
CHRMAP is the acronym for a ‘Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan’. It is a study prepared to communicate information about future coastal planning. It includes a technical assessment to understand the existing and predicted coastal processes, includes a social assessment to understand the community values associated with the coastline being studied, and considers financial and environmental implications.
The State government’s Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning Guidelines (July 2019) provide guidance for decision makers to develop and implement effective CHRMAPs. You can view these guidelines here.
Why is this project required?
The coastline is constantly changing from storm events and the changes that people make to the coastline (buildings, hard coastal structures and dune/beach changes). There will also be further changes as a result of climate change, such as sea level rise and potentially more severe storm events. As the coastline begins to change, it can impact the infrastructure (for example footpaths, roads, houses, beach access, services etc) in the ‘coastal zone’ and how the coast can be used.
This project will help us to understand ‘coastal hazards’ and ‘risks’ that may impact the coastal zone in the future and what the options are for managing those.
The coastal zone for this project includes the coastline and low-lying areas around the Leschenault Inlet and Estuary and associated rivers including the Preston/Collie River.
What does a CHRMAP include?
The key components of a CHRMAP are:
- Understanding the local environment and community values
- Assessing how much things can cope with the impact of climate change
- Identifying the risks (likelihood of an event occurring and the consequences of that event occurring)
- Analysing the findings and evaluating the management options
- Identifying the adaptation options
- Identifying funding options, monitoring and review of frameworks
The CHRMAP will estimate where the coastline will be located in the short, medium and long-term future.
By understanding where the coastline will be in the future, it allows us to understand what infrastructure may be impacted by coastal processes and investigate which options for managing these impacts might be appropriate in particular areas.
What options are there for managing coastal risks?
There are four main adaptation (adjustments that can be made) options for managing coastal risk.
- Avoid – not allowing new development in areas identified to be affected by coastal hazards
- Planned or managed retreat – relocating or removing things which may be at intolerable risk of damage from coastal hazards.
- Accommodate – design measures and/or management strategies that make the risks from coastal hazards more acceptable.
- Protect – works that will preserve the foreshore reserve, public access, public safety and significant property and infrastructure.
Different options are appropriate for different locations taking into consideration the type of coastline, community values, environmental impacts and cost implications.
How will the CHRMAP impact my property?
The CHRMAP will identify the areas that are at risk of being impacted by coastal hazards and when they are likely to occur. The CHRMAP will make recommendations on the appropriate adaptation options for different areas.
The impact on your individual property depends on where it is located as the hazards and risks vary throughout the coastline.
During Stage G of the project, you will be able to view the documentation and understand if and how your property may be impacted.
CHRMAPs contain a lot of jargon which is hard to understand. How can I find out what these words mean?
CHRMAPs do contain a lot of technical terms which can be difficult to understand. Some of the common terms we will use throughout this project can be viewed by viewing State Planning Policy 2.6 - Coastal Planning, here.
Can I register my interest to be kept up to date?
You can continue to stay in touch with the project through your relevant local government.
