We’re excited to announce that the 2025 Statewide Coastal Forum will be held on Monday October 27th at the Coogee Beach Integrated Community Facility (CBICF), home to the Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club.
Established in 2002 following strong community interest and a local petition, the club has grown to over 1,200 members. It delivers a wide range of programs for all age groups and also hosts the Coogee Beach Fitness Club and the Surfing Lizard Café.
With stunning views over the Indian Ocean, Coogee provides an inspiring backdrop for WA Coasties to come together and share their coastal and marine stewardship knowledge. The location also presents unique learning opportunities for our community of practice.
The Coogee Beach Foreshore is a high-use public space with significant—and at times competing—social, environmental, and economic values. It is also vulnerable to long-term coastal inundation and erosion due to projected sea level rise, placing additional pressure on both natural ecosystems and built assets.
In response, the City of Cockburn completed a CHRMAP (Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan) in 2016 and developed a Foreshore Management Plan aligned with State Planning Policy 2.6, supporting sustainable recreational, tourism, and commercial use of the area. The CHRMAP is currently under review to produce an updated document to help improve understanding of coastal hazard challenges over the short, medium, and long term, and guide future planning decisions and the management of existing coastal protection structures. Through the Coastwest Grants program, the City has received funding to work with the local community to rehabilitate the dune system adjacent to the Surf Life Saving Club.
Rehabilitation at Coogee Beach
Most recently, Phase II of the Coogee Beach Community Dune Rehabilitation Project has been delivered in partnership with the Cockburn Coastcare Group and Perth NRM. The project focuses on protecting the foredunes from wind erosion and pedestrian traffic impacts, including primary dune blow-outs. Activities include native seedling planting, brush fencing, and installation of brush material, with support from local residents, schools, community organisations, and multicultural groups.
Forum participants will have the opportunity to explore in-situ learnings from this project, and take part in targeted masterclasses on a range of current and emerging topics—developed in collaboration with our Regional Reference Group from across WA.
We’re pleased to be working with WALGA and DPLH this year to incorporate a Local Government CHRMAP component into the program.
The day will conclude with the DPLH-hosted WA Coastal Awards for Excellence, held as an evening sundowner overlooking Cockburn Sound.
It’s definitely a date to mark on your Coastal and Marine calendar—stay tuned for more details on speakers, panels, and program highlights as they’re confirmed.
The statewide coastal forum is funded through Coastwest with additional sponsorship from the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage.
Story by Ailbhe Travers
Photo credit: WACMN