The environment

Ensuring that Western Australia has an environment in which resources are managed, developed and used sustainably, biological diversity is preserved and habitats protected.

Policy and planning
Better coastal planning  
Protection of the coastal environment is a major focus for us. The Western Australian Planning Commission Amendment Act 2003 established a Coastal Planning and Coordination Council as a prescribed standing committee of the Western Australian Planning Commission. The Act implements the Government's commitment to provide better planning and management of the coast.

Membership of the council includes representation from state government departments, local government and specialist community members. Its function is to advise on the sustainable planning, development and management of the coast. The council's first priority is to prepare a coastal planning strategy for the metropolitan coast.

Developing Carnarvon-Ningaloo  
A new office to coordinate the implementation of the Western Australian Planning Commission's draft strategy Future Directions for the Carnarvon-Ningaloo Coast was established during the year. The Department prepared the draft strategy, which was released in May 2004 for an eight-week public comment period. A final strategy is being finalised and will be published in the second half of 2004.

New plan for Port Kennedy 
The Port Kennedy Development Project is a significant state government initiative to develop Crown land at the southern end of Warnbro Sound as a coastal tourism and recreation precinct. The project is to be implemented in accordance with the Port Kennedy Development Agreement Act (1992).

Project developer Western Australia Beach and Golf Resort Pty Ltd and Project Manager Mirvac Fini Pty Ltd have completed a review of the proposals for Port Kennedy, and have recommended a revised development plan to the Minister. Following a full evaluation of the revised plan, the Department will make its recommendations to the Minister on possible changes to the project.

The Department provides professional support and advice to the Port Kennedy Management Board, and will assist the Board in its consideration of the revised development plan.

New guidelines for sewage discharge  
We moved to protect Western Australia's marine environment - and the health of the people who work and recreate on our waterways - with the introduction of new guidelines governing the discharge of sewage from boats. From October 2004, the state's waterways will be classified into three new discharge zones that have been established based on the degree of risk to the public and the environment.

Managing our boat harbours  
During the year the Department developed better environmental management systems for the 18 boat harbours and fishing facilities we manage. Environmental risk assessments have been completed for 16 of the facilities, and the management systems will be documented and implemented in 2004-05. This will result in a steady and auditable improvement in the environmental management of the facilities.

Managing coastal erosion  
A new coastal protection plan was developed to help manage erosion along the Western Australian coastline caused by recurring and severe winter storms. An expanded coastal protection works program of approximately $1 million per annum is being implemented in conjunction with coastal local authorities.

Sustainable transport energy
Transport energy strategy  
The Transport Energy Strategy Committee set up by the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure completed its Transport Energy Strategy in March 2004. The strategy provides recommendations on alternative energy sources, priorities for research and development, education and information strategies, financial regimes that may be adopted and the role government can play in the implementation of a transport energy strategy.

The report has been presented to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. Implementation of the strategy is now subject to government decisions.

Fuel cell bus trial 
We finalised preparations for a two-year trial of hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses as part of a global, leading-edge project to research and develop fuel cell technology as a possible next generation of transport energy. The trial, using three buses, will be launched in September 2004 at the international 'Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Futures - the transition to sustainable transport energy' conference, which will be hosted by the Department.

Departmental fleet  
Our Sustainable Transport Energy Program includes increased use of four-cylinder vehicles and the acquisition of 13 hybrid electric cars for the Department's fleet. The program will prevent some 100 tonnes of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere over the life of those cars, with annual savings of about $150,000 in fuel and running costs.

Service delivery
Protecting our coast  
Coastwest coastal protection projects bring community members, local government and state government coastal managers together to protect valuable coastal assets. A new Coastwest Grants Program was introduced to help repair and protect precious marine and coastal areas. During the year a range of projects was funded, including $24,800 to provide beach access at the Wellstead boat harbour, $33,750 for a turtle conservation program at Ningaloo, and $40,000 for a foreshore and management plan for Sandy Bay.

Read More...
Read more about Coastwest Grants Program under An award-winning agency

Tackling seagrass  
The Department used the most sophisticated coastal modelling technology available to find a solution to the seagrass problem at Two Rocks. A model of the coastline south of the marina was constructed in a 30-metre long wave basin to help determine the best way to reduce the build-up of seagrass on the beach in the south side of the marina. The City of Wanneroo is reviewing this information and discussions will determine a course of action.

Geographe Bay beaches  
We worked with the local Shire and the project developer to find a solution to the problems of sand bypassing and seagrass accumulation near the Geographe Bay marina. The first phase of the sand and seagrass management program was implemented in November 2003, and the second phase is expected to begin in November 2004.

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Read more about Geographe Bay under The future