Anthony Benbow, Fremantle
The battle to save WA's Coogee Beach is hotting up. A large part of the beach is in danger of being swallowed up by the proposed Port Coogee development, which would also see some of the ocean in Cockburn Sound filled in for private housing. The area is a former industrial site; much of the land in question is owned by the Western Australian government.
Opposition to the development is building as people realise that a unique stretch of beach would be lost to the community forever. Sixty per cent of the beachfront in the area is already taken up by industrial or commercial uses.
There is also disquiet about the government giving developers public land at preferential prices, with the seabed and beachfront portion in effect being handed over free of charge. The revenue lost to the state government is estimated to be as high as $45 million.
A large turnout is expected at a public rally at the beach on February 15. The rally is being organised by the Coogee Coastal Action Coalition.
In the lead up to the rally, the Cockburn city council banned the CCAC's signs promoting the action. Banners have been slashed by unknown persons.
The CCAC has wide support, with around 2500 people on its mailing list. More than 4000 submissions on the Port Coogee development were sent to Cockburn council during a recent consultation period.
CCAC spokesperson Andrew Sullivan said that "coastal facilities must be for everyone, not just a fortunate few. Alternative proposals must start from the fact that beaches are needed for the community, and must not be built over.
"All the other components that are part of this development can be catered for elsewhere in the region. If Port Coogee goes ahead, we will lose more than 1km of beach. The only community benefit would be some boat pens. If you consider the $45 million of forgone revenue, this is a government subsidy of about $170,000 per boat pen."
"Our vision is some areas of conservation, with family friendly beaches, and a regional beach with a balance of different types of activities to cater for the southern suburbs, which are growing fast", Sullivan said. "We have to incorporate boat ramps, fishing, dog and horse exercise areas, also room for things like jet skis. Port Coogee is the only site south of river that can support this... Compare this to the northern suburbs, where nearly 100% of the beaches are available for public or regional access."
Sullivan is disappointed about way the debate has been "hijacked". "The CCAC is being portrayed as anti-development. We are not, we want the right sort of development, and Port Coogee is not it."
The WA Greens is the only party so far to commit itself to stopping Port Coogee.
The CCAC wants an extensive community consultation process to be a key part of planning the future of this coastal area. This will only occur if as many people as possible support the campaign to save Coogee beach.
The February 15 rally kicks off at 11am. For more information or to help the campaign, visit <http://www.iinet.net.au/~robret> or phone 9433 3398.
From Green Left Weekly, February 11, 2004.
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