Published on:
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Key Points:
The Western Australian Local Government Association commends the State Government's extension of the CoastWA program for another three years, aligning to advocacy through WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission.
The State Government also announced $4 million in grant funding is available for coastal management and protection projects in 2026, an increase of $1 million from 2025.
Through the CoastWA Program, the State Government has delivered funding and support to Local Governments to manage current impacts of coastal erosion and inundation and to plan and prepare for increased impacts in the future.
The cost of managing these sites is expected to rise even higher, given that initial estimates did not take into consideration the non-hotspot locations that are also experiencing erosion, nor the revised sea level estimates.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said this critical funding would assist Local Governments as they continue to manage the ongoing risks and respond to the substantial cost of adapting to coastal inundation.
"Continuing the CoastWA Program will deliver significant public benefits, by reducing future costs and strengthening community resilience to coastal hazards," President Chappel said.
"This short-term extension is welcomed, and WALGA will continue to advocate for a long-term funding commitment that ensures that Local Governments have the resources to plan, respond and adapt to coastal risks into the future."
WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission calls for $16 million per annum for four years from 2026-27, to extend and expand CoastWA.
For information or to apply for a grant, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-planning-lands-and-heritage/coastwa-grants
- State Government committing $24 million to extend the CoastWA program for another three years
- Local Governments are responsible for planning and addressing predicted erosion and inundation hazards
The Western Australian Local Government Association commends the State Government's extension of the CoastWA program for another three years, aligning to advocacy through WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission.
The State Government also announced $4 million in grant funding is available for coastal management and protection projects in 2026, an increase of $1 million from 2025.
Through the CoastWA Program, the State Government has delivered funding and support to Local Governments to manage current impacts of coastal erosion and inundation and to plan and prepare for increased impacts in the future.
The cost of managing these sites is expected to rise even higher, given that initial estimates did not take into consideration the non-hotspot locations that are also experiencing erosion, nor the revised sea level estimates.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP said this critical funding would assist Local Governments as they continue to manage the ongoing risks and respond to the substantial cost of adapting to coastal inundation.
"Continuing the CoastWA Program will deliver significant public benefits, by reducing future costs and strengthening community resilience to coastal hazards," President Chappel said.
"This short-term extension is welcomed, and WALGA will continue to advocate for a long-term funding commitment that ensures that Local Governments have the resources to plan, respond and adapt to coastal risks into the future."
WALGA's 2026-27 State Budget Submission calls for $16 million per annum for four years from 2026-27, to extend and expand CoastWA.
For information or to apply for a grant, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-planning-lands-and-heritage/coastwa-grants
