The community will soon help shape the next 50 years of land use along Coogee Beach foreshore, one of Cockburn’s most well-known and loved public reserves.
Cockburn Council has endorsed the draft Coogee Beach Land Use Master Plan for public advertisement, with a second round of community consultation beginning this summer for coastal land between Peri End and Poore Grove.
The consultation will help guide future planning along the popular kilometre-long coastal strip which encompasses Coogee Beach Jetty, a protected swimming zone with an eco shark barrier, a café, tennis courts, caravan park, Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club, open regional park spaces, and designated parking.
City of Cockburn Director of Planning and Sustainability Daniel Arndt said the final plan would balance community desire, coastal planning needs, heritage preservation and staged development to ensure Coogee Beach remained a valued coastal destination for generations to come.
It would also address coastal hazards including predicted coastline changes over the next century, with further guidance provided by a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan currently under preparation.
Mr Arndt said the first round of community consultation completed in February 2024 engaged with more than 400 community members.
“This revealed clear community aspirations for Coogee Beach including retention of its natural beauty by preserving dunes and bushland while maintaining a balance with development, including infrastructure upgrades,” he said.
“The community told us it wanted to avoid over development to ensure the area retained its family-friendly atmosphere, and popularity as a place for swimming, walking, running, riding, picnics and barbecues.
“Other suggestions included improving public transport access to Coogee Beach, safe pedestrian crossings, better lighting and security surveillance, and improved car parking and cycle path connectivity.
“The community supported a low-cost deli, food truck, basketball court and improved waste management, and First Nations participants advocated for culturally appropriate yarning circles in line with its popularity as a coastal gathering place over many thousands of years.
“Retail shops were broadly not supported while bar and restaurant dining had a medium priority.”
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the master plan would help address future community needs and expectations for the much-loved reserve.
“This area will be defined, designed and planned as a regional coastal node with a distinctive and memorable district feel and character,” Mayor Howlett said.
“We know how highly our community values Coogee Beach, including its cultural and spiritual significance to First Nations people, and that European heritage sites such as the jetty, Coogee Hotel and the lime kilns, must be preserved.
“Earlier this year, more than 2,300+ people visited the Revitalise Coogee project page on the City’s Comment on Cockburn website during the project’s first phase.
“The City also consulted people at Coogee Live drop-in sessions, a community focus group workshop, meetings, an online survey, written feedback, and specific Aboriginal and Youth Advisory Collective engagement.
“I strongly encourage the community get involved in the next stage and have their say to shape the vision and realise community aspirations for Coogee Beach.”
Cockburn Council endorsed the draft Coogee Beach Land Use Master Plan for public advertisement at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 12 November 2024.
The Comment on Cockburn website will soon be updated with opportunities for community consultation. Visit the
website