Tamala Park – Catalina Estate ProCoir™ Mesh

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Tamala Park urban development project (Catalina Estate) is located in the north-west corridor of the Perth Metropolitan Region. Consisting of a total of approximately 180 ha, the development area is divided into three precincts known as ‘Catalina Beach’ located west of Marmion Avenue, ‘Catalina Central’ located east of Marmion Avenue and ‘Catalina Grove’ located east of Connolly Drive. Given the projected increase in the local population it was proposed that a formal coastal access route should be created to enable the community to have access to a safe swimming beach.

PROBLEM

Western Australian council guidance considers coastal foreshores to be of high conservation significance in the Perth Metropolitan Region.

It is therefore desirable to protect and enhance ecological linkages and to increase the buffer or foreshore reserve width in places to connect with remnant vegetation along the Catalina Beach foreshore. At present, a number of informal bush tracks exist, used by people to gain four-wheel-drive access to the beach. Given the informal nature of these tracks, damage to vegetation and dune structures, which has been enhanced further by wind erosion, has occurred because of this uncontrolled access.

A sustainable solution was required to assist in the stabilisation of the slope along the foreshore and to prevent further slop erosion, while allowing for revegetation of the area.

SOLUTION

After looking at other erosion control products , coir matting was selected for a number of reasons: firstly, as it is more suited to bank and slope stabilisation applications; it is 100% biodegradable natural coconut fibre product with an open weave. It is spun and woven for extra strength and will last longer than equivalent jute matting products. In regards to revegetation it is mechanically strong enough, with high tensile strength to hold slopes together even after heavy rain. ProCoir™ Mesh also promotes the growth of new plants and stops the topsoil from drying out and damaging new growth. Coir matting resists temperature and wind extremes while retaining humidity and reducing soil erosion.

RESULTS

Contractor needed close to 11,000m² for this project, with Global Synthetics being the only supplier who could fulfil the order at the time.  ProCoir™ Mesh proved to be simple and easy to install.