Quinns Rocks - Quinns Beach Long Term Coastal Management Options

Information

The City of Wanneroo is currently investigating long term coastal management options for the Quinns Rocks coastline to address ongoing coastal erosion issues.

Coastal engineering consultants, Cardno, were appointed to undertake the Quinns Beach Long Term Coastal Management Study in accordance with Council decision at its ordinary meeting of 16 September 2014. This study is being undertaken in three project stages:

• Stage 1 – Coastal Processes Assessment;
• Stage 2 – Concept Coastal Management Options Assessment; and
• Stage 3 – Detailed Design.

The Stage 1 study contributes significantly to the understanding of coastal processes and sand movement along the Quinns Rocks coastline through a detailed assessment of measured data and numerical modelling. This study was completed and presented to Council at its ordinary meeting of 21 July 2015 and the finalised Stage 1 report is available in the Document Library below. 

The Stage 2 study provides a detailed assessment of various coastal management options based on the improved understanding of coastal processes and numerical models developed in the Stage 1 study. Options were assessed during a Multi-Criteria Analysis Workshop in December 2015 by the Quinns Beach Long Term Coastal Protection Community Reference Group which includes Elected Members, City of Wanneroo staff, Department of Transport representatives and Community representatives. As a result of the Stage 2 study, two preferred coastal management options have been identified as follows: 

Option 1 – Modification of existing groynes, additional northern groyne (groyne 4) and beach renourishment.

Extension of the existing groynes 2 and 3 and construction of groyne 4 will provide protection to the car park and dog beach areas by trapping and holding a greater volume of sand. However, longer groynes will result in significant seasonal variation in beach width and may result in increased erosion north of Quinns Beach in the long term.

Option 2 – Relocation of the Quinns Beach Car Park, additional northern groyne (groyne 4) and beach renourishment.

Removal of the existing Quinns Beach car park and dune rehabilitation will enable natural beach erosion and recovery cycles to occur without damage to infrastructure. The new car park proposed to the south of Fred Stubbs Park and new on-road parking will provide a greater number of car bays than the existing car park. Construction of groyne 4 will aid in the trapping and holding of sand to the south of the structure, reducing the erosion issues currently experienced at the southern end of the dog beach. Keeping the existing groynes short with this option will allow for sand to bypass the structure and is less likely to have negative impacts to the north of Quinns Beach in the long term. 

Plans and profiles associated with the two preferred options can be found in the 'Document Library' below.

The outcomes from the Stage 1 and Stage 2 studies will be presented at Community Information Sessions at the Gumblossom Community Centre Sports Hall in Quinns Rocks on Wednesday 27 April 2016, 10:30am to 12:30pm and 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

The presentation will focus on providing details on the top two ranked coastal management options from which a preferred option will be selected by Council to proceed with detailed design, based on the Stage 2 consultancy report and analysis of community feedback. Representatives from the City, Department of Transport and Cardno will be available to provide further information and answer queries from the community. Please note that no prior registration is necessary for these sessions, and you are encouraged to attend either session at your convenience to gain a better understanding of the long term coastal management study and the City’s intentions for ongoing management of the Quinns Rocks coastline. 

We would like to know which option you prefer. You can have your say by clicking the survey link in the 'Get Involved' section below, using the Community Consultation Comment Sheet in the 'Document Library' below or in writing by close of business on Friday 13 May 2016.

Written comments can be submitted in person at the Community Information Sessions or via post to the following address:

The Chief Executive Officer
City of Wanneroo
Locked Bag 1
Wanneroo WA 6946

After the close of the consultation period, City staff will summarise community feedback and present a report on the matter to Council for a decision on which coastal management option to select for detailed design (Stage 3). All persons who submit a comment sheet and provide their address will be notified in writing of when this item will be reported to Council. 

A summary of community feedback will also be provided on this page and mailed out to all registered community session attendees on Friday 20 May 2016.