FAQs

The City of Fremantle is exploring concepts for Prawn Bay in North Fremantle to accommodate the changing hydrological conditions. City Landscape Architects, along with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Riverbank Program, have been working together to co-fund and share responsibility in addressing erosion and inundation issues while respecting the natural hydrology. 

The site, located in Mooro territory of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, was a natural bay until 1960 when harbour dredging filled in the bay with excess material. Then the low-lying park of turf and trees was eventually deemed inoperable due to inundation and quality issues. The current Prawn Bay tidal wetland was constructed in 2004 after significant community feedback through the 1990s. 

This ecological restoration project will allow us to:

1. Understand and mitigate local erosion and inundation issues with an informed concept design that is aligned with the natural hydrology.
2. Assess local drainage infrastructure issues to inform a concept that integrates with natural hydrology, minimising flooding in nearby areas.
3. Safeguard the Samphire community by enabling the river system's natural flood retreat cycle; enhance local habitat and biodiversity.
4. Foster increased access, education, and community connection in the project area for a comprehensive and enriched environment, including improvements to amenities like paths, benches, signage, and shelters.
5. Implement appropriate governance for dog exercise areas to protect the ecological communities; ensure a harmonious coexistence between recreational activities and environmental conservation.
6. Ensure best practices and adaptability over the next 25 years for a resilient and enduring project.

You can view the concept design in the “Key Documents” section of our MySay page. 

We are inviting the community to share feedback on current use and amenity in and around the area. 

City officers seek to obtain community feedback on the analysis, alternatives and/or decisions that are being made. City Officers will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.

• Make suggestions for infrastructure/amenities like paths, outdoor furniture, educational signs, shelters etc.
• Share ideas to enhance the visitor experience for both those with and without dogs.
• Assist in forming a "Friends Of" group to support future changes, planting, and maintenance.

Your feedback can be provided through the survey on our MySay page for this project. A hard copy of the survey can be sent or picked up upon request.

Submissions can be submitted online via the submission form on this MySay page, or:

• By Mail
  PO Box 807
  Fremantle WA 6959
• In Person
  Walyalup Civic Centre
  151 High Street
  Fremantle WA 6160
• By email - communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au(External link)(External link)
• Online via the submission form below

A hard copy of the survey can be sent or picked up upon request by emailing the Community Engagement team here: communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

The work will be a rolling program over 4 years, however the works are subject to funding and budget constraints. 

Your access to the area will be slightly affected when works commence. Don't forget to sign up for project updates via this MySay page to stay informed on progress. 

Prawn Bay, located in Mooro territory of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, was a natural bay until 1960 when harbour dredging filled in the bay with excess material. Then the low-lying park of turf and trees was eventually deemed inoperable due to flooding and drainage issues. The current Prawn Bay wetland was constructed in 2004 after significant community feedback through the 1990s. 

A full historical timeline can be found in our Key Documents section titled "Project Timeline - How we got here, where we're going." 

We've created a small glossary of terms that are being used to describe certain aspects of this project. The definitions can be found below. If you have other questions about the language, please contact us at: communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au. 

• Rock nodes: structures in a series along shore that are designed by coastal engineering experts to slow erosion/retreat of shoreline, will be made of limestone rocks, low profile and as small a footprint as possible.
• Rock training walls: these are similar to the rock nodes but placed at an inlet to aid the flow of water in and out of an inlet
• Erosion or shoreline erosion: when the shoreline is retreating backwards and/or there is sand loss or displacement including sideways drift along the shore. Erosion can affect trees as they need sand volume around their roots
• Coir logs: a tool sometimes used to hold fragile environments in place, they blend naturally into the environment as are made from 100% coir (coconut) fibre, they can be a natural planting medium for vegetation and are a biodegradable, lasting up to several years.
• Sand replenishment: also know as sand nourishment, this is artificial placement of sand on an eroded shore to maintain the amount of sand present to compensate for natural erosion and to protect an area against storm surge etc.
• Limestone rock barriers: alongshore revetment in the form of armature along a shoreline. Waves and tides can wash (over) these.