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Posted by Allen Newton
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13 Nov, 2026
RESTORATION of Cockburn Sound’s seagrass habitat is to get a $5.4 million boost from the West Australian state government as planning progresses for the future container port Wesport.
Environmental groups have raised concerns that development of Westport and AUKUS and increased industrialisation will add to the threat to seagrass meadows which provide a habitat for a wide range of marine creatures.
The state government investment will provide funding for hectare-scale restoration trials, an expanded community-led restoration program and research into the resilience of seagrass under warming ocean conditions.
$2.5 million in awarded contracts will deliver the first phase of its Seagrass Restoration Trials program across Cockburn Sound and Owen Anchorage.
A government media release said the trials will test restoration techniques at scale and help build local expertise in marine habitat restoration.
“The program also includes services to collect, process and store large volumes of locally sourced seagrass seed material, supporting restoration activities and future trial programs,” it said.
Westport is investing a further $2 million over three years to expand OzFish's Seagrass for Snapper program, supporting a year-round seagrass nursery at Point Peron, additional restoration activities and greater community participation in marine conservation.
An additional $900,000 will fund Edith Cowan University's Seagrass of the Future research project, which will investigate how heat-tolerant seagrass could improve the resilience of restored meadows as ocean temperatures increase.
“Together, these initiatives will help inform future restoration efforts in Cockburn Sound while contributing to broader knowledge of seagrass restoration in Western Australia,” the release said.
“The investment builds on Westport's $13.5 million partnership with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program, which has helped improve understanding of seagrass ecosystems, restoration methods and environmental conditions in Cockburn Sound.
“The combined investment reflects Westport's commitment to working with nature, acting early and supporting a whole-of-ecosystem approach focused on restoration, resilience and long-term environmental outcomes.”
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said the government was taking responsible action to support the long-term health of Cockburn Sound as it planned WA's future container port.
"The Cook Labor Government's investment in marine science has delivered a strong understanding of what works, and we're putting that knowledge into practice with restoration trials, community partnerships and new research,” Ms Saffioti said.
"This work is being delivered ahead of any future port construction and reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality infrastructure that secures the economic future of WA."
