Published on Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 7:04:12 AM
The Town of Port Hedland has reached another significant milestone in restoring access to Cemetery Beach over the Sutherland Street seawall.
The beach access stairwell fabrication and the test fit is now complete and it is expected to be on-site within weeks.
The new staircase will be fitted at the junction of Sutherland and Wodgina streets and once installed will be a fantastic secondary turtle-viewing spot on Cemetery Beach.
Significant damage was caused to the Hedland coastline and associated infrastructure by Tropical Cyclone Veronica in 2019.
Among the structures impacted was a dilapidated beach access staircase at Crawford Street.
As part of the seawall construction project, it was decided to reconstruct the staircase to allow public access to the beach.
As the Crawford Street staircase was close to turtle nesting activity on Cemetery Beach, it was decided to construct a staircase further east.
The Town secured funding from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources under the Preparing Australian Communities - Local Stream program to deliver this project.
The staircase is expected to be installed by August.
UPDATE 23 July 2025
Installation of the staircase is progressing on schedule:
- Piling works (foundation installation for the staircase) are now complete;
- Staircase frame and tread installation have been successfully completed;
- Railing installation on either side of the stairs has commenced; and
- Earthworks for the shade structure and seating area above the seawall have begun.
The community is reminded that earthmoving machinery is still operating at the site, and beachside earthworks remain ongoing. Please be mindful of traffic management in place.
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