The City of Cockburn’s Coogee Maritime Trail was named a joint winner in the Coastal Design, Heritage and Tourism category of the Western Australian Coastal Awards for Excellence.
The Coogee Maritime Trail provides an accessible marine tourism and education experience unique in Western Australia.
Located next to the Port Coogee development, the maritime trail has improved access to the coast by including stairs in a lightweight material over a limestone seawall to connect the carpark with the rest of the trail.
The trail offers land-based interpretive displays promoting local culture and maritime heritage, while under the water art installations add to the artificial reefs created as part of the trail to enhance recreation and biodiversity at Coogee.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett congratulated the many members of staff who contributed to the magnificent asset the City now has available for community enjoyment and tourism promotion.
“The opportunity to soak up knowledge about our marine environment and how it contributes to the health of our oceans is available through the interpretive signage, both under the water and on the groyne overlooking the trail,” Mr Howlett said.
The awards were presented on October 1 at the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) as part of the opening event of the 2019 WA State Natural Resource Management (NRM) and Coastal Conference.
The City of Cockburn’s Coogee Maritime Trail was a category joint winner with the City of Greater Geraldton for its Beresford Foreshore Coastal Protection and Enhancement Project.
The two projects were recognized for providing accessible and unique tourism and education experiences for visitors to the coast.