Yanchep Foreshore Management Plan (in progress)
The Yanchep Lagoon Precinct Preliminary Foreshore Management Plan (PFMP), prepared by a UDLA-led multidisciplinary team for the City of Wanneroo, establishes a strategic framework for sensitive foreshore development. It prioritises protecting the Lagoon’s natural character while enhancing community amenity, and also lays the groundwork for the Foreshore Management Plan, currently being advertised.
Prepared by a UDLA-led multidisciplinary
team for the City of Wanneroo, the PFMP
builds on the 2019 Yanchep Lagoon Masterplan
and responds to State policy requirements
and coastal hazards.
The PFMP adopts a landscape-led design philosophy, recognising Yanchep Lagoon as the precinct’s greatest asset. Proposed development is deliberately light-touch, enhancing recreational opportunities while safeguarding natural features. This approach ensures the precinct remains resilient, beautiful and ecologically intact, allowing future generations to enjoy the Lagoon’s distinctive character and restorative atmosphere.
Community participation shaped every stage of the PFMP. A structured engagement programme involved workshops with a project reference group (comprising local residents and community groups) and government agencies. This ensured decisions reflected community aspirations alongside planning requirements. The inclusive process built trust, strengthened local stewardship and resulted in a plan that balances technical rigour with community priorities for access, amenity and environmental care.
Three scenarios presented in Workshop 2
During the second workshop, three scenarios were tested. Scenario 2 – involving the conversion of part of Brazier Road to one-way with decentralised parking – was chosen as the preferred approach. It was considered most closely aligned with the project aims, as it balanced light-touch development with flexibility, protected ecology, improved access and enabled new amenities.
With Yanchep Lagoon identified as a high-priority area for coastal risk, the PFMP places adaptation at the heart of design. Built form is minimised, located away from hazard zones where possible, and designed to be flexible, elevated or relocatable. This ensures development responds to future shoreline change while protecting both ecological systems and community amenity.
The precinct contains remnant vegetation within an A-Class Reserve and Bush Forever site, central to its identity and ecological value. The PFMP safeguards these assets by concentrating built form in already disturbed areas, revegetating degraded landscapes and setting aside potential conservation zones. Active management measures, such as weed control and access fencing, further strengthen ecological resilience.
The PFMP champions a place-first approach. Rather than prioritising economic drivers, it enhances experiences of the Lagoon through improved trails, lookouts, small-scale facilities and seasonal cultural programming. This framework demonstrates how public foreshore development can protect natural values while fostering community connection, identity and wellbeing – keeping Yanchep Lagoon special, natural, local, simple and, above all, deeply valued.
Details:
Client: City of Wanneroo
Aboriginal Country: Whadjuk and Yued Country
Location: Yanchep, Western Australia
Dates: 2024 (Preliminary Foreshore Management Plan), 2025 - ongoing (Foreshore Management Plan)
Lead Consultant: UDLA
PFMP Collaborators: Hames Sharley, Natural Area, Bushfire Works, PJA, JDSi, PRACSYS, HWA
FMP Collaborators: Hames Sharley, Natural Area, JDSi, Archae-Aus, OHA, DCWC
Images: UDLA
