Not just coasting along: Cockburn, Melville councils receive awards for fight against erosion
North Coogee’s modular design reef and coastal restoration project at Melville Beach Road Foreshore have been named among the winners of the 2025 WA Coastal Excellence Awards.
The awards are coordinated by the WA Planning Commission’s Coastal Zone Management Program and the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage for CoastWA.
These were presented in conjunction with the 2025 WA Coastal Forum: Communities, Coasts and Change hosted by the WA Coastal and Marine Network at the Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club on 27 October.
The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the planning, management and protection of the state’s diverse and extensive coastlines.
The City of Cockburn’s CY O’Connor Beach-designed fringing reef has received a coastal management award for reducing the impact of wave erosion and significantly increasing biodiversity.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the project was the result of the city choosing innovation over retreat after its coastal adaptation plan identified erosion risks.
“This demonstrates leadership in tackling climate-induced coastline loss while creating a unique recreational and ecological asset for Perth,” he said.
“The partnership between the City, global marine and subsea services company MMA Offshore (now Cyan Renewables) and UWA Oceans Institute has created a two-stage 270-module reef that mimics nature.
“Like a natural reef, concrete module bomboras attenuate wave energy and have created a marine habitat inhabited by abundant fish species and covered with macroalgae, seaweed and mussels that is now a paradise for snorkelers.”
The University of WA’s research found a 10 per cent reduction in wave height and a 20 per cent reduction in wave energy hitting the coastline.
Additionally, a significant increase in biodiversity was achieved, with fish species doubling within a year after the installation of 135 phase one modules in March 2022.
Mr Howlett said the fringing reef model could be easily transferred and modified to other coastal environments where communities wanted to consider options other than traditional hard structures such as rock walls and caverns.
The City of Melville won the waterfront planning and design award for its Melville Shoreline Shoreline project, which includes innovative erosion control and extensive native vegetation restoration while improving community access.
The project started in 2024. Results of the project include 90 percent survival rates for unirrigated native plants.
“Spanning more than 11 miles of shoreline across the city of Melville, we know these are important places for our community, and it is critical for the city that we continue to protect and enhance our natural environment,” said Mayor Katy Mair.
“It’s great to see the amazing results of the Melville Coast Path Bioengineering Project, including increasing biodiversity and habitat connectivity, and I look forward to seeing more coastal stewardship that protects our environment.”
Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said many Western Australians had a deep connection to the coastline.
“These awards highlight the incredible dedication of local communities, researchers and volunteers who work every day to protect and enhance our coastal environments so they can be enjoyed by future generations,” he said.
