Dredging the Clyde to sandbag Surfside
A Mayoral Report to the Ordinary Meeting of Eurobodalla Shire Council held on Tuesday 29 April addressed the Coastal Erosion, Surfside Beach at Myamba Parade
In summary the report said “Council shares the concerns of the Surfside community regarding the erosion of the northern end of Surfside Beach (along Myamba Parade).
The beach has been steadily eroding over a number of years, however recent storms having accelerated the erosion of the beach and dune in front of a number of privately owned properties.
The Coastal Management Act 2016 requires Councils in New South Wales to have a certified Coastal Management Program for the Open Coast (CMP) and our Council’s CMP was certified and gazetted in March 2023.
The CMP identifies the strategic aims for the management of the coastal zone and identifies specific actions to mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards. Council is responsible for those actions which will protect public assets.
Council does not have the funding or resources available to deliver all the actions identified in the CMP but has received $11 million in funding to date to protect community infrastructure such as roads.
Council is undertaking coastal protection works at Caseys Beach, Long Beach, North Batemans Bay (Wharf Rd.) and at Surfside West (McLeods Beach).
Whilst private property owners are responsible for protecting their own property and there is no community infrastructure at risk, the CMP identifies that Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is responsible for the action to renourish Surfside Beach with sand dredged from the River Clyde.
Council has been liaising and advocating with TfNSW and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), to make sure the erosion issue and concerns of the Surfside community are understood and that dredging the Clyde River and renourishing Surfside Beach is a priority.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Transport informed a member of the Surfside community back in September last year that the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) planning approval for the works would be issued for public consultation late in 2024 and that the dredging works might commence early 2025 subject to planning approvals and contractor availability. This has not happened and recent discussions with TfNSW have not confirmed when the REF might be released for public exhibition nor when the dredging might commence. “
During debate Cr Mayne asked about the outcomes and ramifications of this and whether it was a short term solution while State government seeks a longer term option?”
Director Attenborough said “The CMP recognises the only action for that part of surfside beach is the nourishment. There is no long-term actions for that part of the beach.
“I believe option for hard assets were mooted but not agreed to.”
It was RECOMMENDATION and CARRIED unanimously THAT
- Council make representation to The Hon. Jenny Aitchison NSW Minister for Roads, and Regional Transport requesting funding of actions as identified in the CMP, specifically dredging the Clyde River and placement of sand at Surfside Beach, as a matter of urgency.
- Council advocates to the NSW Government to fund and prioritise the dredging of the Clyde River and placement of sand at Surfside Beach, as a matter of urgency.
- Council facilitate a meeting with the relevant State Government agencies and the Surfside Community and support representation made by Dr Michael Holland Member for Bega.