James Street Beach Enclosure Project

The confidence around safe swimming and recreation at Esperance beaches has been diminishing over the past few years, with the increasing number of shark attacks and interactions. Action was need to help restore beach goers confidence and help the town’s reputation as a shark hotspot.

Works that are taking Place:

• Installation of the Eco Shark Barrier at the James Street groyne
• Installation of a Swimming and  Lap Pontoon within the enclosure
• Introduction of The Boss beach cleaner for town beach, James Street groyne to the Esperance Bay Yacht Club

Why is the Shire doing this?

The Shire has identified an area in the Esperance Bay that it considers would be the most suitable location for a beach enclosure. The area is off the James Street groyne, and would enclose the existing ocean infrastructure of a swimming jetty and swimming pontoon.

A beach enclosure at James Street would:

• Complement the recently upgraded foreshore and infrastructure already installed in this location.
• Provide a safer space for VacSwim, who currently undertake their swimming lessons from this location.
• Help stimulate the Esperance Town Centre economic activity by attracting more people to the area.
• Complement the Esperance Town Centre Revitalisation Master Plan development for the James Street Ocean area which includes enhanced play elements.
• Support the potential for an Ocean Lap Pontoon for ocean swimming.

We are also improving the level of service to our high profile town beach, from the Yacht Club to Brazier Street Node. The beach cleaning machine, known as "The Boss", will involve the removal of built up seaweed, and cleaning the sand and rubbish removal along this beach. This will coincide with the installation of the James St Beach Enclosure, providing a safe swimming area and the lap pontoon in time for summer.

• Beach cleaning is planned to provide a higher amenity for the community.
• The beach cleaning machine will remove rubbish, clean and dispose of sea grass wrack and also be used after storms and community events.

Project Funded by:

Lap Pontoon – $430,000 Australian Government: Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program

Shark Barrier – $400,000 State Government

Beach Cleaning - Shire of Esperance