Published: Monday, 11 February 2019 at 2:01:31 PM
The area widely known as “Lives Beach” inside the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour (FBH) has been closed to public access to make way for sand nourishment works due to begin shortly.
Mid West Ports Authority will undertake the works to prevent the sand from impacting on the entrance to the FBH and to clear the nearby seawater intake lines used by the aquaculture industries.
MWPA Chief Executive Officer Dr Rochelle Macdonald said the sand would be put to good use at some of Geraldton’s most popular beaches.
“We’re working with the City of Greater Geraldton to put the sand to use in programs similar to the Geraldton Foreshore Enhancement Project,” she said.
“We’re also currently conducting studies to understand why the rate of sand accumulation has increased in recent years and what is happening with sand movements along our coastline in general.
“We are seeing erosion to the south of the Port, so it is evident that there have been dynamic changes to the coastal processes in recent years.
“In the meantime, we will clear the sand to ensure it doesn’t impact the operations of our valuable aquaculture industries inside the FBH.”
The closure of the beach is also prompted by several community safety concerns with the beach located in a working industrial zone.
MWPA have recently observed some visitors cutting hazard tape to climb and swing off the operational jetty at the beach.
Dr Macdonald said the safety of the community was paramount and she would encourage people to enjoy the other amazing beaches in Geraldton.
“The infrastructure surrounding “Lives beach” is used by our aquaculture industries and is not built for recreational use,” she said.
“We don’t want anyone to unintentionally damage the jetty or pylons or, more importantly, injure themselves by jumping off into the shallow water underneath.
“Numerous trucking and machinery movements also take place adjacent to the beach, while the waters contain a high volume of transiting vessels, who may not be aware of the presence of swimmers.
“In many ways the area is not built for leisure and we have to make community safety our number one priority.”
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