A groundbreaking coastal monitoring initiative has been recognised at the WA Coastal Awards for Excellence, receiving a Special Commendation in the Education, Engagement, Science and Research category.
This innovative collaboration that involves the Peron Naturaliste Partnership, Winjan Aboriginal Corporation, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure and Main Roads is monitoring vulnerable coastal areas using advanced drone technology. The team has developed a cutting-edge method to capture high-resolution imagery and digital surface data, enabling seasonal tracking across twenty sites between Cape Peron and Cape Naturaliste.
The project is helping to fill a critical gap in existing coastal monitoring efforts by generating essential data that was previously unavailable. This data is instrumental in identifying sediment volume changes and shoreline responses to extreme weather events and sea level rise.
“The project is also building the capacity of Traditional Owners and local coastal decision-makers,” said the PNP Chairperson and Shire of Capel President John Fergusson. “It’s providing vital insights to support more informed and resilient coastal planning and management.”
The WA Coastal Awards for Excellence celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals, community groups, schools, local governments, state agencies, and non-government organisations working to protect Western Australia’s coastal environments.
“Being recognised at the WA Coastal Awards for Excellence was wonderful,” said Cr Fergusson. “We would like to thank our project partners—without their involvement, the program would not be the success it is. We look forward to continuing our work together to monitor and protect our vulnerable coastal areas.”
Figure (L-R): Cr Caroline Knight (Peron Naturaliste Partnership Deputy Chairperson and City of Mandurah Councillor), Kallan Nannup (Winjan Aboriginal Corporation), Brett Hill (Winjan Aboriginal Corporation), Johanne Garvey (Winjan Aboriginal Corporation), Craig Perry (Peron Naturaliste Partnership), and Frederic Saint-Cast (Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure)