Estuarine CHRMAP
Looking ahead for our estuary and community
The estuary is a big part of what makes Mandurah special. It is where people go to walk, fish, relax and spend time with family and friends. But like all coastal areas, it can change over time.
The City of Mandurah is taking a proactive step to better understand how coastal hazards could affect our community and the land around the estuary in the future.
We are developing an Estuarine Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP). This work looks at possible risks like erosion and flooding, and what they may mean for nearby land, including homes and places people use every day, like foreshores, parks and paths.
The Estuarine CHRMAP includes the Peel‑Harvey Estuary foreshore, Mandjar Bay, the Dawesville Channel, the Serpentine River within the City’s boundaries, and the canal estates. It focuses on places influenced by tides, where changes are more likely to affect surrounding areas.
This helps build a clearer picture of what could happen over time. It provides information to guide planning and decisions, without locking anything in. It means we can respond in a careful and informed way as conditions change.
Why this work matters
Understanding these risks early helps the City and community be better prepared. It gives us time to think ahead and consider how to respond, rather than reacting later on.
It also makes sure local knowledge is part of the picture. People who live near, use, and care about the estuary have an important role in shaping how we understand these places and what they mean to the community.
What this project will help to do
- Build a shared understanding of coastal risks over time
- Show where impacts may be more likely in the future
- Highlight what matters most to the community
- Provide information to guide future planning and decisions
- Enable the City and community to be better prepared
How the planning works
A CHRMAP brings together:
- Technical studies carried out by coastal specialists
- Information about how the coastline and estuary may change over time
- Input from the community through surveys, workshops and feedback
Together, this information helps build a clear and balanced understanding of possible risks and how they might be managed over time.
The City has already completed similar plans for the northern and southern beaches.
Get involved
Stage 1 community engagement will open in the coming months. This first step is about learning what people value and love about the estuary and the areas around it.
You will be able to get involved by:
- Completing a short survey about what matters most to you
- Using an online map to show your favourite places and how you use the estuary
Sign up to the mailing list to stay informed and take part when it opens. You can also learn more by viewing similar plans for our northern and southern beaches on the City’s website.