14/12/2009 Shared knowledge for foreshore stabilisation

Efforts to reduce foreshore erosion in the Swan Canning Riverpark have been given a boost with the launch of a new tool to guide river shoreline managers. The Swan River Trust and Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council today launched the Best Management Practices for Foreshore Stabilisation giving shoreline managers locally relevant information on the latest techniques in foreshore stabilisation.

EMRC Chairman Cr Graham Pittaway OAM said the project was a collaborative effort between the Swan River Trust, EMRC and its member Councils. 

"The report is a very practical document for local government and onground officers to help them choose and implement the effective stabilisation techniques for river bank areas in the Swan, Canning and Helena rivers," Cr Pittaway said. 

Trust Riverpark Manager Chris Mather said having up to date knowledge in foreshore stabilisation would help guide allocation of the Trust's Riverbank Grants Scheme funding. 

"Foreshore stabilisation is one of the greatest challenges for the Swan Canning Riverpark and this report is critical to help land managers who undertake stabilisation works," Mr Mather said.

"The level of detail in this report will allow land managers to actually do some works themselves and engage with design engineers to ensure the best methods are adopted."

The report targets eight specific foreshore stabilisation techniques, including revegetation, coir logs, brush mattressing, gabions, log walling, cut limestone block walling, rock revetments and geotextile revetments.

The report will be reviewed as new technologies are developed and knowledge of how the techniques perform in the Swan Canning Riverpark is expanded.

The report is available on the Swan River Trust’s website at www.swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au