Coastal Farms Australia project off Augusta’s Flinders Bay undergoes last-minute tinkering

A proposed seagrass farming operation off Augusta waters has undergone some tinkering and had another public comment period which closed this week.

The Coastal Farms Australia application faced some community backlash after the Augusta Community Development Association co-ordinated feedback earlier this year.

The proponents initially identified two possible sites for the project, which is a feasibility study of a bigger model to eventually include shellfish.

But residents rallied behind a statement from entrepreneur and PAX Scientific chief executive Jay Harman that opposed the project on environmental grounds.

Mr Harman said he had “the strongest of concerns” about Coastal Farms’ project because “the proposed location is a unique environment at the confluence of two marine ecosystems”.

The project is being assessed by WA’s Department of Fisheries.

The latest changes to it include removing the contentious Deere Reef location.

A 1ha site south of the Augusta Marina is now proposed for a pilot seaweed project and only one species of seaweed — golden kelp — is proposed, with shellfish removed entirely from the first tranche of the project.

Coastal Farms initially proposed two sites south of Flinders Bay where horizontal growing beds would farm seaweed and shellfish without use of fertilisers and what were said to be limited environmental risks.

Respondents to a recent ACDA survey chafed at the lack of direct community consultation.

A proposed public meeting in April was cancelled and the proponents did not respond to Times’ inquiries about fresh plans for community consultation.