A new round of CoastWA grants will direct $3.01 million to 27 coastal hazard projects across Western Australia.
However, the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has renewed calls for a long-term, more substantial investment from the State Government.
The current funding, allocated for 2025–26, includes major contributions such as $1.32 million to upgrade the Town Beach seawall in Mandurah and $200,000 for beach renourishment at Quinns Beach and Yanchep Lagoon.
Other recipients include the Shire of Ashburton, which will receive $93,266 to review its Onslow Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan, and Perth NRM, which secured $60,000 for dune stabilisation and protection along the northern metropolitan coastline.
In addition to the $3.01 million grant pool, recipients are providing more than $3.36 million in matched or in-kind contributions.
Emergency funding of $150,000 has also been allocated to the Shire of Gingin to address rapid erosion at Lancelin’s northern foreshore, which is threatening beach access and nearby infrastructure including the Lancelin Sands Hotel.
Since its inception in 2020, the CoastWA program has delivered more than $25.4 million across 246 projects. However, it remains funded only until 2025–26, prompting concern from the local government sector.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said: “While the $3 million allocated to 2025–26 CoastWA grants is welcomed, we are concerned about the future of CoastWA, with the State Government yet to commit to funding post 2025–26.”
“It is imperative that the State Government provides a commitment to extend CoastWA to enable Local Government to continue to budget and plan for coastal adaptation and ensure important projects aren’t delayed.”
WALGA is advocating for a $150 million investment over five years as part of its 2025 State Election Priorities, citing the scale of infrastructure, public assets and ecosystems at risk from coastal erosion and inundation across WA’s 53 coastal and estuarine councils.
