Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) 

The Town of East Fremantle, in conjunction with the State Government, is developing a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) to identify key assets along the river foreshore and measures the Town will take to preserve them against the impact of coastal hazards. 

The study area for this project is located on Whadjuk Noongar land within of the Town of East Fremantle, some 3km of foreshore between Petra Street to the north-east and East Street to the south. The foreshore has interactions with many landmarks and recreational features including the John Tonkin Reserve, Swan Yacht Club, East Fremantle Yacht Club, several outdoor sporting grounds, hospitality venues and several boating moorings and jetties.

Click on below Project Area image to enlarge it.

East Fremantle Project Area

We are responding to climate change and coastal hazards 

Through the recently endorsed Climate Emergency Strategy 2022-2032, the Town has acknowledged that we are living in a time of a Climate Emergency and need to urgently reduce or limit emissions to avoid potentially irreversible warming and environmental damage. Climate change, including rising sea levels, is predicted to increase the level of erosion of sandy coastlines and inundation (flooding) of low-lying areas, including the East Fremantle Foreshore 

In recent years the foreshore has experienced an increase in flood events and inundation within the study area, further highlighting the need for the Town, alongside the community, to think deeply as to how to mitigate these hazards. These coastal assets, including recreational spaces, businesses and environmental assets, will face increased pressure in the future from the effects of human and environmental events. 

Governments at all levels and private parties (individuals, businesses and the community) each have important, complementary and differentiated roles in managing risk arising from coastal hazards. 

Riverside Road, East Fremantle 2021

Project Timeline 

The CHRMAP will be completed in stages, with community and stakeholder engagement undertaken along the way.  

How can I get involved? 

1. Join our project mailing list 

To request to join our project mailing list, please email us and be sure to include 'CHRMAP Mailing List' as the subject.  

2. Join our Community and Business Reference Group – now closed! 

As part of the community and stakeholder engagement for the CHRMAP, the Town is establishing a Community and Business Reference Group (CBRG) to help guide and provide advice around key milestones of the project. The members of the CBRG will act as conduits between the community and the project team, helping to share important information and knowledge both ways.  

The Expression of Interest period to join the CBRG is now open. We encourage all community members and local business representatives to put forward an expression of interest.  

Click here to complete a 10min confidential submission. Applications closed on Friday 5 August 2022.

CBRG Terms of Reference 

3. Coastal Values Survey – Now OPEN! 

An important first step in developing a CHRMAP is to collect community and stakeholder coastal values (social, environmental, infrastructure, and economic), to ensure a successful outcome for the risk management process. 

We invite you to take the Coastal Values Survey which will be open from 1 August until 5 September 2022. 

If an alternate submission method is required, please contact Town Hall on 9339 9339.  

4. Pop-Up Information Sessions 

To help introduce the project and allow an information sharing exchange, we will be holding two pop-up information sessions to be held at the Town Hall: 

• Session 1 - Wednesday 31 August, come anytime between 5-7pm   
• Session 2 - Friday 2 September, come anytime between 10am and 12 noon  

Register your interest to attend here 

Project News 

Coastal Values Survey - Now OPEN!

Media Statement - $18.5m for program to fight erosion and protect coastline 

Policy and Guidelines 

The CHRMAP will be prepared in accordance with the WA Coastal Zone Strategy, the State Planning Policy 2.6 – State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP2.6) and the CHRMAP Guidelines. 

Details on the strategic and policy intent can be found at the following links. 

WA Coastal Zone Strategy

State Coastal Planning Policy

Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning Guidelines 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP)?  

A CHRMAP is a long-term plan to address the impact of coastal hazards on our coastline. It looks at various hazard scenarios within 25-, 50- and 100-year timeframes and, with input from the community and key stakeholders, identifies the most appropriate adaptation strategies and options.   

What is a ‘coastal hazard? 

When we say ‘coastal hazards’ we mean, naturally occurring events that impact our coastline, such as coastal erosion or flooding (also referred to as inundation).   

Erosion is a process where parts of the shoreline are worn away due to waves, tides, wind or human activities. It can change the shape and form of the coast, reducing the area between the ocean and features on the land, and even allowing inundation 

Inundation is when water occupies previously dry land.  It can be temporary or permanent. 

Permanent inundation refers to the loss of land due to sea level rise.   

Temporary inundation is the flooding of an area due to storm surge, high tides, large waves or heavy rainfall. 

What might be the strategies and options for managing coastal hazards?  

There are four overarching ‘strategies’ to manage coastal hazards. These are:  

 Within the strategies chosen, the CHRMAP can further specify options to manage coastal hazards. These include, but are not limited to:   

• Building Design 
• Planning Controls 
• Engineered Structures (eg seawalls, groynes, breakwaters, Revetments)    
• Nature Based Solutions (eg beach nourishment, planting)  

   

As someone who lives, works and/or recreates in East Fremantle, how could the outcomes of the CHRMAP affect me?  

The inherent nature of a CHRMAP is to look ahead several decades into the future, making it a bit more difficult to image the tangible outcomes of the Plan. However, it is likely that you or someone you know uses assets along the foreshore now that represent some sort of environmental, economic or social importance to the fabric of the East Fremantle community and beyond. 

While this is a strategic, long-term plan for managing coastal hazards on the coastline, it is important for the community and key stakeholders to be involved so that the plan accurately reflects their values and aspirations for what is important along the coastline.  

For instance, you may currently use a walking path close to the river linking you to businesses and points of interest along the river. How would you feel or how would you be impacted if this path was affected by erosion and inundation? Is it important for this type of asset to remain for the next generation to use and enjoy? 

It is also essential that you get involved as we ask the community and key stakeholders for their input on preferred management options – that is – what can we do to manage the risk from erosion and flooding?   

How can the community be involved?  

We will be seeking input from the community at various points in the CHRMAP lifecycle. Below is a list and indicative timings of the upcoming engagement opportunities:  

•  Register your email on the CHRMAP webpage to stay informed  
• Apply to be part of the Community and Business Reference Group (July 2022)  
• Take the Coastal Values Survey (August 2022)   

• Attend one of two information sessions (late August/early September)   

In October there will also be an opportunity to attend community scenarios workshops and to vote online for preferred adaptation options (watch this space for more details!). 

Is this project related to the proposed tree planting along the foreshore?

No, this project funded by the Town is a separate project running adjacent to the CHRMAP project and objectives. 

Who is funding the preparation of the CHRMAP?  

Funding for the preparation of the CHRMAP is jointly funded by the Town and State Government.

I don’t feel that climate change is real or could impact me, therefore I don’t understand why the Town is investing in a CHRMAP.  

Regardless of whether you believe climate change to be real or not, the river shorelines and the assets that are situated along them are currently experiencing impacts from coastal hazard through erosion and /or flooding.  

The CHRMAP will look at the present day coastal hazard risk and provide guidance to the Town on how it can manage the risk today and in future should the risk increase due to climate change (eg sea level rise, more severe storm events)     

The Town is strongly in support of recognising the Climate Crisis and taking action to reduce its impacts. 

Are there examples of other CHRMAPS that I can look at? 

There are many examples and these can be found here

Who are the project team and how can I get in touch? 

Shelley Cocks  

Principal Environmental Health Officer  

Town of East Fremantle  

scocks@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au 

Jim Churchill 

Associate Principal 

Baird  

jchurchill@baird.com  

Rhian Wardley 

Associate Coastal Engineer 

Baird  

rwardley@baird.com 

Liz Pope 

Senior Consultant - Engagement 

element 

Liz.Pope@elementwa.com.au