UPDATE: Surfside is set to initiate an emergency dune restoration project to combat severe coastal erosion that threatens local homes. This urgent action, confirmed by local officials, aims to protect properties along the shoreline from inundation, with work expected to begin on Monday, September 22, 2023.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council will implement this emergency measure under the Eurobodalla Open Coast Management Plan. Sand will be scraped from the intertidal zone to replenish the dune, providing immediate relief to residents. Following the sand placement, 5,000 foreshore-compatible plants will be planted by Landcare volunteers to stabilize the dune, ensuring longer-lasting protection.
Mayor Mathew Hatcher praised the community’s persistent advocacy for this critical project. “We’ve heard the passionate requests for action from Surfside residents, and we’re pleased to deliver this emergency response in collaboration with the NSW Government,” Hatcher stated.
Residents like Craig Lyttle, who experienced seawater flooding his home during the last East Coast Low, have been instrumental in pushing for this initiative. “We’re all very pleased that we’ve got some movement on this, and it will probably help protect the houses along the foreshore for at least the next couple of years,” Lyttle told the Bay Post.
Characterized as a short-term fix, this dune restoration is part of a broader strategy to combat coastal erosion in the area. An earlier plan to replenish the beach by dredging up to 30,000 cubic metres of sand from the Clyde River is still in motion. This dredged sand will be deposited offshore, approximately 600 metres away, leveraging natural ocean currents to assist in rebuilding the beach.
Lyttle remains hopeful that these efforts will significantly slow down coastal erosion. “If it naturally migrates to the beach, that can only help to rebuild,” he noted. However, he continues to advocate for more permanent solutions, similar to protective measures implemented at Long Beach and McLeod’s Beach.
Gratitude was expressed by Lyttle towards local MP Dr. Michael Holland for mobilizing support through the NSW Government. “Dr. Holland has been wonderful in working with the community here and advocates for us at every opportunity,” he said.
As weather conditions permit, work will commence on September 22, providing much-needed reassurance to Surfside residents. Lyttle reflected on the emotional impact this project has on the community, stating, “It just gives you a bit of comfort to know that we can go away or go overseas and not worry about our houses being taken by the sea.”
This urgent restoration project underscores the ongoing battle against climate change and its effects on coastal communities, highlighting the necessity for immediate action and long-term solutions. Residents and officials alike are eager to see the positive outcomes of these efforts in the coming weeks.
