A CHRMAP is a long-term plan to address the impact of coastal hazards on our coastline. It looks at various scenarios within 25-, 50- and 100-year time frames and, with input from the community and key stakeholders, identifies the most appropriate adaptation strategies and options.
When we say ‘coastal hazards’ we mean, naturally occurring events that impact our coastline, such as coastal erosion or flooding (also referred to as inundation).
Erosion is a process where parts of the shoreline are worn away due to waves, tides, wind or human activities. It can change the shape and form of the coast, reducing the area between the ocean and features on the land, and even allowing inundation
Inundation is when water occupies previously dry land. It can be temporary or permanent:
Permanent inundation refers to the loss of land due to sea level rise.
Temporary inundation is the flooding of an area due to storm surge, high tides or large waves.
There are four overarching ‘strategies’ to manage coastal hazards. These are:
Within the strategy/ies chosen, the CHRMAP can further specify options to manage coastal hazards. These include, but are not limited to:
The inherent nature of a CHRMAP is to look ahead several decades into the future and propose potential solutions to perceived changes along the Cottesloe coastal foreshore. In the short term there may be minimal or no impact to your use of the area. It is most likely that the next generation will experience the impact of coastal hazards and change in usage.
While this is a strategic, long-term plan for managing coastal hazards, it is important for the community and key stakeholders to be involved. We want the plan to reflect what is important along the coastline, what you want future generations to be able to enjoy and what management options to introduce to ensure this.
Funding for the preparation of the CHRMAP is jointly funded by the Town and State Government.
However, the long-term financial implications and funding options to implement planned coastal adaption strategies will need to be considered.
Regardless of whether you believe climate change or not, coastal erosion and inundation is already impacting the Cottesloe foreshore and shoreline assets.
The CHRMAP will look at current coastal hazard risk and provide management options for now and into the future, if the risk increases due to climate change (eg sea level rise, more severe storm events)
The Town believes in being proactive regarding the potential impacts of climate change and taking action to reduce any negative effects.
There are many examples and these can be found at the following link:
There will be several opportunities for the community to provide input during the CHRMAP process.
So far the community has been involved through stakeholder interviews, attending information sessions and a coastal values survey.
A Community Values Survey was conducted with the community from 1 September to 16 October 2022.
The survey helped to understand the coastal values of community and key stakeholders and what was important to them.
The survey covered visitation frequency, activities undertaken and the impact of coastal hazards on the community.
Key findings were:
For more information please contact town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au
A CHRMAP is a long-term plan to address the impact of coastal hazards on our coastline. It looks at various scenarios within 25-, 50- and 100-year time frames and, with input from the community and key stakeholders, identifies the most appropriate adaptation strategies and options.
What are the four overarching ‘strategies’ to manage coastal hazards?
Avoid (erosion and inundation) - identify ‘non-build’ area for the future
Managed Retreat (for erosion) - withdraw, relocate or abandon assets at risk
Accommodate (for inundation) - continue to use the land but accommodate changes by building on piles or converting land use
Protect (erosion and inundation) - use hard or soft solutions to protect land from the sea / river
The CHRMAP will be prepared in accordance with the WA Coastal Zone Strategy, the State Planning Policy 2.6 – State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP2.6) and the CHRMAP Guidelines.
Details on the strategic and policy intent can be found at the following links: