Sections of Sorrento Beach in Perth will be closed for several weeks starting April 7 as the City of Joondalup undertakes repairs on two of its rock groynes. The central and southern groynes will receive limestone and granite additions, along with reshaping of existing rocks, with work expected to finish by early June.
The city stated the repairs are necessary after assessments revealed deterioration of the rock structures. Acting Joondalup CEO Nico Claassen said the groynes are essential for maintaining beach width and amenity, limiting the natural northward movement of sand, and protecting the beach south of Hillarys Boat Harbour. The upgrades aim to meet current serviceability and coastal protection standards.
Access to the beach around the groynes will be blocked during the works, and the southern carpark at the Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club will be closed and fenced off. Work will occur from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, and the city has asked beachgoers to keep clear of the work area for safety.
The groynes, built in 1983, 1984, and 1985, are over 40 years old. They were constructed to trap sand and prevent erosion, protecting West Coast Drive, the surf club, and nearby buildings behind the limestone seawall. Rock groynes have been controversial locally; in 2023, a $120 million proposal to build 17 groynes along 5km of coastline was scrapped after over 5,000 people opposed it, citing disruption to the continuous beach.
The current project was approved by the Joondalup council in February, with the tender awarded confidentially. It is jointly funded: 75% ($1.281m over three years) from an Australian Government coastal and estuarine risk management grant, and 25% from the city.
