Erosion threat for dolphin centre
PLANS to build an embankment along the eastern edge of Koombana Beach would require sand to be trucked from the Outer Harbour to prevent the popular swimming beach from washing away.
Under plans being considered by Southern Ports Authority, a 240m sloped wall would be built to prevent erosion impacting on Cristal Global infrastructure at Point Busaco.
To prevent erosion moving in the direction of the Dolphin Discovery Centre, 7500cu m of sand would need to be dumped in front of the wall as often as every three years.
The sand would be washed along the bay to renourish the beach in front of the tourist attraction.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said although he was cautious of "messing with the environment" he was satisfied the correct research had been done to prevent the wall impacting on the swimming beach.
Plans for the embankment, known as a revetment wall, are being assessed by the Southern Ports Authority board of directors.
A spokeswoman for the authority said the directors could not comment on the project until the board had provided a project assessment to management next month.
The Environmental Protection Authority listed the potential side effects of the development as "localised erosion on Koombana Beach, west of the proposal" however did not assess the project.
In its determination the EPA said the proposal was unlikely to have significant effects on the environment, so did not warrant formal assessment.
Information provided to the EPA by the authority's projects and engineering manager Kevan Wheeler guaranteed the dolphins of Koombana Bay would not be impacted by the project.
Dolphin Discovery Centre general manager and Bunbury Marine Alliance chairman David Kerr said the sand renourishment could benefit the quality of Koombana Beach.
Editorial, page 12
