City of Busselton Council has met the requests of the community in deciding to delay seagrass bypass work until mid April, 2010.

The request to delay bypass work until April was considered by Council at it's January  27 meeting. Representatives from the Wonnerup Residents Association, the Port Geographe Landowners Association, the Port Geographe Business Association and the Port Geographe Action Group sought to postpone the commencement of the bypass program 6 weeks beyond the initial commencement dated recommended by Shire Officers.

The Shire advises that while equipment will be mobilized on or around April 16, the actual bypassing will not commence until April 19. Whilst the full bypassing works programme involves the movement of sand and seagrass from the beach adjacent to the western groyne to the east, the emphasis will be on moving a sufficient amount to sand to renourish Wonnerup beach and protect it from winter storms. 

Approximately 80,000 cubic metres of sand is the target amount and it is hoped that approximately 20,000 cubic metres of material will be moved each week, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Shire President, Ian Stubbs said: "Our number one priority is to move as much sand as possible to the Wonnerup Beach site as part of the City of Busselton's effort to rejuvenate the eroded foreshore. We would have preferred to have commenced the work in March, to avoid winter weather. However, we are also prepared to meet community requests as much as possible." 

END.

Media enquiries can be directed to the City of Busselton's Public Relations Officer, Meredith Dixon on 97810446 or meredith.dixon@busselton.wa.gov.au