Image from Port Beach "Rainbowing".
The ground-breaking Port Beach sand nourishment project is now complete.
In the latest and final stage of works, 150,000m³ of sand was dredged from Fremantle Port’s deep water channel during February and March 2023 and used to extend the beach.
The Port Beach sand nourishment project is the first time ‘rainbowing’, a visually spectacular technique which involves the pumping of a mixture of dredged sand and water into a high arc through the air and onto the nearshore area, has been employed in Western Australia.
The project was a collaboration between City of Fremantle, Fremantle Ports and Department of Transport.
Works were completed in two stages, with an initial 92,400m³ of sand placed between July and October 2022.
The works were planned to provide protection against erosion for around 10 years—although this will depend on the weather patterns.
The works will allow time for a longer-term planning process including the future of Fremantle Port.
The City of Fremantle will continue to advocate for a managed retreat strategy, that includes the establishment of a broader foreshore reserve to retain a beach and amenities for the community.