Denmark Coastal Reserves Management Plan

Denmark Coastal Reserves Management Plan

The Denmark Coastal Reserves Management Plan was developed by Land Insights to guide the sustainable management of the Shire of Denmark’s 84-kilometre coastline. This plan addresses environmental resilience, recreational access, and heritage protection across key coastal reserves including Ocean Beach, Parry Beach, Boat Harbour, and Peaceful Bay.

You can view the full plan on the https://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/documents/sustainability/biodiversity-reserves/coastal/management-plan.

What We Did

Land Insights led the preparation of the plan through a comprehensive review and consultation process. Our work included:

• Community and stakeholder engagement, including workshops, surveys, and targeted meetings.
• Site assessments across all Shire-managed coastal reserves.
• Integration of coastal hazard risk management, including CHRMAP data for erosion hotspots.
• Development of strategic actions for conservation, recreation, access, and heritage protection.
• Alignment with State Planning Policy 2.6 and other relevant frameworks 1.

Outcomes of the Denmark Coastal Reserves Management Plan

The plan was adopted in March 2024 and provides a 10-year roadmap for managing Denmark’s coastal assets. Key outcomes include:

• A clear framework for managing erosion, access, and recreational pressures.
• Site-specific actions for each reserve, including upgrades to Ocean Beach, Parry Beach, and Lights Beach.
• Protection of Aboriginal and European heritage sites.
• Support for community involvement in coastal care and education.
• A prioritised implementation and monitoring strategy to guide future works and funding 1.

The Shire of Denmark officially announced the plan’s adoption in https://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/news/plan-for-long-term-protection-of-coastal-reserves-adopted/31323.

This project showcases how strategic planning and community collaboration can protect Denmark’s unique coastal character while preparing for future challenges.