Posted on January 21, 2026
The District Council of Robe has secured significant new coastal funding as part of a broader, staged coastal protection and adaptation program, strengthening Council’s long-term response to erosion, storm damage and climate risk.
Council has successfully secured $235,000 in Coast Protection Grant funding to deliver two priority coastal protection projects at Fox Beach, with support from the South Australian Government through the Coast Protection Board.
The funding, confirmed in correspondence from the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, will support:
- $205,000 for the installation of geotextile sandbags at Fox Beach, and
- $30,000 for targeted sand replenishment works.
With only $1.2 million available across South Australia in this year’s funding round, the result represents a strong outcome for Robe.
Mayor Ruffell thanked the State Government and the Coast Protection Board for their continued support.
“Council sincerely thanks the South Australian Government and the Coast Protection Board for recognising the very real risks facing coastal communities like ours,” Mayor Ruffell said.
“Fox Beach is one of Robe’s most vulnerable sections of coastline and has been significantly impacted by storm activity and ongoing erosion. This funding allows Council to move forward with real, on-ground protection works that will help stabilise the foreshore, protect public infrastructure, and build long-term resilience for our community.”
The newly secured funding forms part of a broader, staged coastal protection and adaptation program being delivered by Council.
Council has recently been awarded a separate $50,000 Coast Protection Board grant as part of the 2024/25 funding round to deliver a Fox Beach Coastal Protection Options Assessment. This project will investigate a range of soft, nature-based and engineered protection options at the site and will directly inform the detailed design of the geotextile sandbag installation, as well as longer-term protection planning for Fox Beach. The assessment is scheduled to commence early this year.
In addition, Council completed urgent post-storm sand replenishment works at Fox Beach earlier this financial year, delivering more than 500 cubic metres of additional sand to protect vulnerable areas of the foreshore.
Council has also been awarded $80,000 in Climate Ready Coasts funding to undertake a Hoopers Beach Adaptation Option Pathway Assessment, supported by a $24,000 Council contribution (total project value $104,000), following severe recent storm impacts. The project will deliver detailed coastal hazard investigations and an economic assessment of long-term adaptation options. Final documentation is now being progressed.
Chief Executive Officer Nat Traeger said the projects align directly with Council’s Coastal Adaptation Strategy and broader climate resilience objectives.
“We greatly value the partnership with the Coast Protection Board and the Department for Environment and Water,” Ms Traeger said.
“These works are about protecting more than just sand. They are about safeguarding walking paths, beach access points, nearby roads and foreshore amenities, maintaining the vital coastal walking link between the township and Long Beach, and ensuring Fox Beach remains safe and accessible for locals and visitors into the future.”
Ms Traeger also acknowledged the strong organisational effort behind the successful application.
“This outcome reflects the growing capability within Council to plan, prioritise and deliver complex coastal management projects that respond to real and emerging risks.”
Over the past two years, Council has secured more than $340,000 in external coastal funding, supported by approximately $92,000 in Council contributions, representing a total coastal investment of over $430,000 across completed, underway and newly awarded projects.
Staff from the Department for Environment and Water will now work with Council to progress funding agreements for the newly approved projects, with detailed planning to commence following final approvals.
Further updates on project timing and delivery will be provided as works progress.
