WA COASTAL COMPARTMENTS A Geological Framework for Marine and Coastal Management Presentation to Marine Group Workshop at the WALIS Forum 2009 Ian Eliot & Christopher Nutt November 2009 A project initiated by the Department of Environment & Conservation, the Geological Survey of Western Australia and now undertaken jointly with the Departments of Planning and Transport

Project Aims The aims of the project are to: Identify a hierarchy of planning units based on natural coastal systems similar to the approach used to identify river catchments.Identify a hierarchy of planning units based on natural coastal systems similar to the approach used to identify river catchments. The marine and coastal planning units should approximately accord with mapping scales commonly used for the preparation of statutory plans.The marine and coastal planning units should approximately accord with mapping scales commonly used for the preparation of statutory plans.

BASIC CONCEPTS 1.The hierarchy of planning units is based on the geologic framework of the coast. 2.At the broadest planning levels the planning units comprise a set of discrete coastal compartments determined by geologic boundaries, structures, landforms and aspect of the shore together with the landforms they contain. 3.At the most detailed planning levels the planning units are identified as sediment cells in which sediments sources, transport pathways and sinks can be clearly defined. 4.Together, coastal compartments and sediment cells provide a framework for a variety of applications including: (a) planning and management of natural resources within the nearshore marine and coastal environment; and (b) assessment of vulnerability to coastal hazards, climate change and rise in sea level.

PriorityFeatureExamples 1Changes in bedrock geologyMetamorphic to sedimentary rocks; lithified to unconsolidated sediments 2Rock structures (topography)Rocky capes, peninsulas, termination of extensive cliffs 3Geomorphic features (morphology) Large cuspate forelands and tombolos; extensive sandy beaches 4Change in aspect of the shoreBald Head at the entrance to King George Sound; changes in aspect along Eighty Mile Beach COMPARTMENT BOUNDARIES

Hierarchical Level Location, climate, geology, landscape, biological province Nominal Scale 1: : : : Location, climate, large landforms, bathymetry, hydrology, primary biotopes Location, geology, geomorphology, physico- chemical and biological features, jurisdictional areas, secondary biotopes Location, geology, geomorphology, coastal dynamics, physico- chemical and biological features (ecological character), habitats, biological facies, jurisdictional areas, land tenure, land use, management issues, environmental hazard and risk Level 2 Regional strategies Level 1 Policy Level 3 Regional and local plans Basic information (core data) requirements Level 4 Local and site plans Mapping ScalePlanning Hierarchy

REGIONS & PRIMARY COMPARTMENTS Compartments have been identified for three levels. These correspond with the lower three tiers in the planning hierarchy. Landforms contained in the primary and secondary compartments have been identified. Potentially these broad descriptions are applicable as planning units at regional strategic planning levels

HIERARCHY OF COASTAL COMPARTMENTS

THE LOCAL SCALE: SEDIMENT CELLS & SEDIMENT BUDGETS From Stul et al (2007)

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS COMPARTMENTS Landforms (Framework) & Processes (Drivers) PLANNING PURPOSES Marine & coastal planning Habitat description Marine & coastal risk assessment Marine conservation EBFM

SCALESECTION OF INTERESTAGENCIESAPPROACH STRATEGIC 1: to 1: Primary and Secondary Coastal Compartments around WA DEC DoP DoT Habitat mapping; conservation planning Planning & policy; Hazard & risk assessment REGIONAL 1: to 1: South Coast: Cape Leeuwin to SA Border DECHabitat mapping; regional marine planning Pilbara: Entrance Point to Cape Jaubert DEC DoP DoT Habitat mapping; regional marine planning Coastal vulnerability & climate change Kimberley: Cape Jaubert to NT Border DECHabitat mapping; regional marine planning SUB- REGIONAL 1: to 1: NAR: Guilderton to Kalbarri DoP DoT GPA CGG Coastal planning & management Hazard & risk assessment Port maintenance & coastal stability Coastal vulnerability & climate change Mandurah LGAMCC DoP & DoT Coastal planning & management Coastal vulnerability & climate change LOCAL > 1: Binningup to Dawesville DoP & DoTHazard & risk assessment Coastal vulnerability & climate change Lancelin TownsiteGSC DoT Hazard & risk assessment Coastal vulnerability & climate change SOME PROJECTS IN PROGRESS: INCLUDING CASE STUDIES

WHERE TO NEXT? Primary and secondary planning units (compartments & the landforms each contains) have been completed for the State. Tertiary compartments have been identified but the landforms each compartment contains remain to be determined There is a need to agree on appropriate descriptors of the landforms at each level to avoid duplication of jargon. Examples of the potential planning applications at each scale are being compiled, particularly potential use in the Coastal Planning Policy (SPP 2.6). Custodianship of the data needs to be determined, although GSWA is recommended as the potential custodian. The framework will be made available for use by interested agencies and organisations and it is up to whoever is interested to further develop the applications.

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