Our coastline is one of our proudest and most valued assets. It is deeply cherished by locals, and it attracts visitors from all over Australia and abroad.

There is a proposal to develop a boardwalk connecting Scarborough and Trigg Beach. I know that locals have diverse views about the project, and I want to thank everyone who has shared their feedback with my office. 

As you may know, the coastal foreshore between Scarborough and Trigg is partly within Bush Forever Site 308 and is a Class A Reserve (46248), managed for conservation purposes by the City of Stirling. The site is also reserved for Parks and Recreation under the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS).

The proposal is led by the City of Stilring, which has undertaken a feasibility study and has now presented a proposal for the community to provide feedback on.

The feasibility study considered:

• Flora and fauna assessments to identify vegetation types and fauna habitats.
• State and Federal requirements regarding Threatened Ecological Communities or species, and Bush Forever policy under State Planning Policy 2.8.
• Coastal planning requirements, including the City’s Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan and State Planning Policy 2.6 – State Coastal Planning Policy.
• If the City proceeds, it must engage with the WA Planning Commission to show the proposal is consistent with the reserve’s purpose, properly planned, and protects local amenity. Any final design must meet environmental conditions and remain sensitive to the natural coastline.

One of the drivers behind this proposal is pedestrian safety along West Coast Highway. Main Roads WA has been reviewing safety along West Coast Highway as part of their Marmion Avenue Safety Review and has recently implemented safety improvements, including reducing speed limits. To learn more, visit this link here.

The Cook Labor Government and I take the protection of our coastline very seriously. In addition to Coast WA Grants, which delivered almost $160,000 to the Stirling Natural Environmental Coast Care Group for dune restoration and vegetation protection, I also secured $200,000 as an election commitment in 2021 for coastal erosion adaptation at Mettam’s Pool, which has now been delivered.

The City of Stirling has also received over $140,000 in Coastal Adaptation Grants to design and construct the Mettam’s Pool Disability Ramp and support coastal monitoring and sand nourishment.

Like you, I want to ensure that any decision about our coastline is informed, balanced, and sustainable, protecting the environment while supporting our community. I’m pleased that the City of Stirling is undertaking a through process to determine the feasibility of this project and to consider the community’s perspective. I encourage you to share your thoughts with the City, by following this link.

Although I do not have a role in decision making on this proposal, I am always open to community on any matter affecting our community, you can do this through the contact form on this website.