Govt Supports Mapping Project Off Western Australia

A project to map the depth of water off Western Australia’s coast from Two Rocks to Oakajee is among 14 projects funded by the State Government under its latest round of coastal protection grants.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the Department of Planning would use its $300,000 grant to collect sea depth data that can be used for future coastal planning and management.

The project involves using light detection and ranging technology to measure the difference between the sea surface and the sea bottom. Survey systems are often aircraft mounted. The equipment measures the time delay between the transmission of a pulse and its return signal.

With good water clarity, these systems can reach depths of 50 meters.

“Such equipment is used to collect data in areas with rugged shores where boats cannot operate efficiently or safely because of rocks, seaweed or breaking surf,” Nalder said.

The project has been funded under the 2015-16 Coastal Adaptation and Protection grants, with $1,057,500 allocated for construction, design, monitoring or investigation work.

The Town of Cambridge has secured $167,627 for the third stage of its maintenance project for the City Beach groyne, while the Shire of Esperance received $100,000 to replenish sand levels in Esperance Bay near Norseman Road.

“The coastline is one of the State’s most valuable assets and these grants foster a partnership between State and local government in work to protect it,” the Minister said.

“The projects will provide a better understanding of coastal processes and ensure public coastal assets are protected from the impacts of ocean forces into the future.”

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