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PROJECT OVERVIEW

Why is the project being rolled out?

Our coastline is always changing. Cyclonic weather events, rising sea levels and coastal erosion are long term challenges for Port Hedland which require strategic planning to mitigate risk. The construction of sea walls are integral to the Town's risk mitigation response.

In March 2020, Council endorsed the design and construction of seawalls at West End, Sutherland Street and Goode Street. These locations were identified as susceptible to coastal erosion and inundation as part of the Town's Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP). This Plan serves as the blueprint for how the Town will respond to the challenges of climate change into the future, identifying the areas which are the highest priority for attention. 

The CHRMAP considers hazards and risks in the immediate term, the current planning horizon (to 2060) and the long-term (to 2120). The Plan finds that risk of erosion to public foreshore, roads and residential properties along Sutherland Street and in the East End of Port Hedland is likely to increase to a point that is intolerable.

If not managed, then over time residential properties and social and environmental values of the public coastal foreshore will be lost as a result of erosion. 

sutherland street seawall construction - notice of works

What is happening?

Construction has started on the Sutherland Street Seawall, a $6.5 million investment to protect the coastline from erosion and inundation into the future.

Stage two works will run from May to late 2022 and will include rock installation for the Seawall’s construction.

The Seawall will protect residential properties, strenghten the integrity of beaches and pathway access and protect unique flora and fauna, including flatback turtles.

Please be mindful of signage, workers and machinery in the area and do not attempt to enter construction site zones.

If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, please follow the alternate pathway signage.

Where is this happening?

 

Above: drone footage of the Port Hedland Seawall adjacent to Marapikurrinya Park in Port Hedland's West End.

Key Benefits

  • Mitigates damage caused by future cyclonic weather events, rising sea levels and coastal erosion
  • Contributes to preserving Port Hedland's coastal values
  • Contributes to strengthening the integrity of beaches and pathway access
  • Contributes to protecting unique flora and fauna, including flatback turtle nesting areas
  • Helps protect residential properties in Port Hedland from erosion and rising sea levels
  • Helps secure operations at the port of Port Hedland, the world's largest bulk exporting port

Construction Timeline

  • Construction began in September, starting at Marapikurrinya Park.
    • Marapikurrinya Park: 3-5 months construction on site
    • Sutherland Street: 4-6 months construction on site
    • Goode Street: 3-4 months construction on site

Project Partners

  • Sutherland Street: $11.4 million
  • Goode Street: $3.4 million
  • Marapikurrinya Park, Richardson Street and Gap: $3 million

In order to fund the Port Hedland sea walls, it is proposed for the Town to fund $7.5 million and for Government / Industry to fund $10.3 million.