Emergency Response to coastal erosion at Surfside Beach

Special funding from the NSW Government and Council will allow a sand dune to be restored in Surfside, near Batemans Bay. 

It comes after high tides, storm surges and an east coast low combined in April to erode the remaining shoreline on Surfside Beach, with water inundating homes along Myamba Parade. 

“With the support of Bega MP Dr Michael Holland, we’ve been able to put together an emergency response to address community concerns,” said Council’s General Manager Mark Ferguson.

“This funding allows us to provide short-term protection while long-term strategies are developed.”

In a process known as beach scraping, sand from the intertidal zone will be used to reshape the dune at the back of the beach, providing a buffer against future erosion. All environmental approvals have been obtained for the work.
 
5,000 foreshore-compatible plants will be planted to revegetate the dune, with Council’s environment team working with local Landcare to coordinate a community planting effort. 

The restoration is an emergency response action under the Eurobodalla Open Coast Management Plan to manage coastal emergency events relating to beach erosion, cliff instability and coastal inundation. 

Mayor Mathew Hatcher acknowledged the community’s role in advocating for the work.

“We’ve heard the passionate requests for action from Surfside residents, and we’re pleased to be able to deliver this emergency response in collaboration with the NSW Government,” Mayor Hatcher said.

With construction starting 22 September, weather depending, the project aims to nourish the length of the beach, starting from the northern carpark and extending in front of the Norfolk Pines. 

University of NSW has submitted a grant application, with support from Council, to work on mapping sand movements at Surfside over a four-year period to better inform coastal planning for this area.

For more details, head to Batemans Bay area current works | Eurobodalla Council, and for more context see Coastal management | Eurobodalla Council.