Pre-Conference Tours

North Metro Coastal Tour

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Cost:  $40.00

Perth has some truly magnificent beaches.

The north metro coastline from Cottesloe to Wanneroo contains some of Perth’s most magnificent beaches attracting thousands of visitors every year. Threats to the coastline are numerous and varied but in more recent times it has been the threat of climate change that has emerged as the most serious, with potentially devastating impacts to our coastline.

What will be the key drivers of climate change impacts on the North Metro coast? What will be the role of coastcare in building resilient coastal systems to mitigate climate change impacts? How can the community and local, State and Federal governments work together to address this challenge? These questions will be asked of participants on this varied and interesting tour of the north metro coast. Even if you think you know this coast well, come with us to see the coast with a fresh perspective and use the day to help focus your thoughts on how you can assess the potential climate change risks on your own coast. Practical examples of climate change studies already undertaken and engaging with on the ground managers from local government and coastcare groups during the tour will help guide our thoughts.

The tour will begin at the most northern beach Iluka and head southwards making stops at the following beaches; Sorrento, North Beach, Watermans Bay, Scarborough and City Beach. The final stop will be iconic Cottesloe Beach.

The tour will be lead by leading world expert, Dr Robert Kay from Coastal Zone Management Pty Ltd. Giving an international perspective will be Dr Stephen Leatherman, Keynote Speaker from the USA. Providing local knowledge and a community perspective will be North Metropolitan Coastcare Officer, Kate Sputore from Perth Region NRM.

Dr Robert Kay, Coastal Zone Management Pty Ltd
Dr Stephen Leatherman, Keynote Speaker, USA
Kate Sputore, Perth Region NRM

South Metro Coastal Tour

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Cost:  $40.00

The south metro coastline from Fremantle to Rockingham contains a diverse mix of land uses including urban, industrial, terrestrial and marine conservation. Rising population, industry, changing weather patterns and infrastructure expansion all have the potential to have an increasing impact on the south metro coast and the tour will visit relevant hot spots to see outcomes of past and present land use decisions. The tour will look at coastal erosion areas, rehabilitation sites, historical sites, Indigenous themed locations, large scale urban renewal areas and industrial zones.

The tour will commence in Warnbo Sound, Rockingham, to view recent coastal erosion and accretion outcomes and hear about management solutions. At Kwinana Beach the discussion will centre on the construction of the offshore breakwaters to combat erosion and overview the coastal rehabilitation program. During morning tea participants can walk the Indigenous Bush Tucker Trail, view the Noongar Fish Trap mosaic and listen to Barry McGuire talk about Noongar culture and history of the coast.

View the CSBP nutrient stripping wetland and hear how the process is improving water quality within CSBP and the surrounding environment. Visit the Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant and hear how Water Corporation is diverting wastewater from the Woodman Point Treatment Plant and reprocessing for use by surrounding industry. At the Australian Marine Complex hear an overview of the marine infrastructure industry and how their impact on Cockburn Sound is being managed. At Woodman Point hear how Cockburn Cement are managing the shell dredging program and implementing a seagrass rehabilitation project. Hear how the City of Cockburn is planning the implementation of one of the largest coastal urban redevelopment projects in Western Australia.

Note: Enclosed shoes must be worn as some light walking will be involved. Please dress for the weather.

Craig Wilson, Perth Region NRM
Dr Tom Rose, Cockburn Sound Management Council
Barry McGuire, Perth Region NRM

Rottnest Island Tour

Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm
Cost:  $50.00

Rottnest Island is located about 19km off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. It is a leading tourist destination and home to some of the country’s most spectacular beaches and bays. The island boasts an amazing variety of animal and plant life, as well as an incredible marine life, with hundreds of species of fish teaming in its surrounding waters. The island was declared an ‘Class A’ reserve in 1917 and is managed by the Rottnest Island Authority.

You will enjoy a ferry ride from Fremantle and be welcomed by members of the Environmental team from Rottnest Island Authority. The tour will begin in Thompson Bay, where your will hear about the shared mooring system, hydrocarbon plume and visitor and boat numbers. The tour will move to south Thompson Bay, to view the Dune Rehabilitation and Street Landscape project. Continuing south, the tour will move to Parker Point, where another dune rehabilitation project will be showcased. At Parker Point, participants will have the opportunity to hear about dive sites and moorings and the visitor impacts and management strategies.

After lunch the tour will move to Green Island where you will hear about the marine management strategy, compliance in the marine environment and marine research currently underway. At West End, you will hear about the demersal sanctuary zone, compliance issues and geological risk along with viewing Mutton Bird habitat and perhaps citing a New Zealand Fur Seal. Finishing in Geordie Bay, you will hear about a dune rehabilitation project and management strategies.

Thanks to Rottnest Island Authority for their assistance

Shane Kearney, Rottnest Island Authority

Garden Island Tour

Time: 8.30am - 4.30pm
Cost:  $50.00

Garden Island is situated 20 minutes drive south of Fremantle. A causeway over four kilometres long links the island to the mainland. Garden Island is the site of a maintenance facility of the Royal Australian Navy. Public access to the island is by private boat and access is not permitted after dark. Only 80 per cent of the island is open to the public. Garden Island has beautiful beaches and bays, and is an ideal place for picnics, swimming, fishing, surfing and sailing. The flora and fauna of the island have evolved in isolation from the mainland and represent a complex ecosystem. Garden Island is also home to the Tammar, a small species of wallaby that lives freely on the island.

Participants will be greeted on the island by team members from the Department of Defence. The tour will begin with discussions on the Garden Island causeway and learn of its value in feral animal management. At Broun Bay and Southern Careening Bay you will hear about erosion issues and current management. The tour will move on to Bauche View lookout where you will learn more about Careening Bay. At the Ranger’s Station, participants will enjoy an up-close encounter with Garden Island’s resident tammars, tiger snakes and carpet pythons.

Enjoy morning tea at Cliff Head historic site, where you will hear about heritage management associated with the founding of the first colony, seagrass monitoring, and the Defence operations involving the Ammunitioning Wharf.

The tour will continue on to the Calitris forests where you will learn about Bushfire management, weed management. At Pig Trough Bay hear about public access management, recreational moorings and indigenous heritage. The next stop, Beacon Battery Fortress, you will learn about WWII coastal fortifications and heritage. At Herring Bay public access management and mooring will be discussed. At Point Atwick learn about coastal geology, ospreys and view a fairy tern nesting site at Gilbert Point. At Quarry Beach Road, hear about the potential wave power station.

After lunch, the tour will return to Careening Bay where you will hear about the operation of the naval port. Participants will then be treated to a visit to the Garden Island little penguin colony. The tour will conclude with a visit to HMAS STIRLING museum to learn more about the history of the island.

Note: enclosed shoes must be worn as some light walking will be involved. Please also dress for the weather. Cameras will be permitted in most areas and participants will be advised when camera use is not permitted.

Joanne Wann, Department of Defence