THE Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, Alannah MacTiernan, confirmed earlier this month that funds have been committed for the 2008/09 budget to undertake a feasibility study into a sand bypass system as an option to deliver sand to the Esperance foreshore.

The commitment was made in response to a question raised in Parliament by Member for the Agricultural Region, Wendy Duncan.

Mrs Duncan also asked whether the option of a stand-alone sand bypass system was considered as a solution to the Esperance foreshore erosion problem, and why this option had not been presented to the people of Esperance as part of recent community consultation.

In her response, Ms MacTiernan said that the government had been advised a stand-alone bypass system would not provide sufficient protection for the foreshore.

Mrs Duncan said she was pleased with the decision by the Minister to commit to investigating a sand bypass system.

“It is good news that this study will be undertaken as the people of Esperance would far prefer to see sand pumped onto the beach, rather than the unsightly and disruptive practice of using trucks to dump sand on our foreshore,” Mrs Duncan said.

She said that insufficient information had been provided to the people of Esperance to assist them in understanding the decision-making that has been occurring in relation to the solution to the Esperance foreshore erosion.

Mrs Duncan will meet with Ms MacTiernan next week to further discuss the matter.

“The Esperance foreshore is a precious asset to the south-east community and it is only reasonable that the people of Esperance are provided with all the information necessary so that they can fully assess the proposal for the foreshore restoration and satisfy themselves that the best option is being implemented,” Mrs Duncan said.