Dunes erode as coastal study starts

Gosford Council is monitoring dune erosion at Ocean Beach after a recent run of large swells caused two access paths between Barrenjoey Rd and Koorung St to be closed.

Council's natural open space coordinator Mr Larry Melican said erosion of the dune has also resulted in the loss of a number of large banksias and tea trees.

"These trees have been re-orientated to ensure that there is adequate pedestrian thoroughfare along the beach," he said.

"Removal of these trees is not considered to be necessary at this point in time, and maintaining this material on site may be important for trapping sand when the beach rebuilding process commences," he said.

Mr Melican said the council had also engaged consultants to undertake of a study which would address erosion and coastal processes at the beach.

It would be known as the Gosford Open Coast and Broken Bay Beaches Coastal Processes and Hazards Re-assessment project.

"The consultant is required to undertake the project in accordance with NSW Coastline Management framework.

"The NSW Guidelines to Developing Coastal Zone Management Plans identifies a range of coastline hazards to be included in any assessment process.

"The study methodology will assess the extent to which coastal processes have influenced the beaches in the past, and to what extent these coastal processes would impact these areas in the future.

"This will assist in determining the appropriate long term management response while also taking into account climate change induced sea level rise and associated shoreline recession, shoreline recession due to sediment budget deficit, short term erosion due to storm activity and dune stability considerations," said Mr Melican

"The risk-based hazard assessment would be carried out for the immediate, 50 year and 100 year planning periods.

"This project will enable Council to identify the erosion and recession hazards under a defined set of conditions and identify and implement measures to ensure long term protection of property and beach amenity.

"The community will be consulted throughout the project, and will have the opportunity to identify longer term management options for consideration."

Email, 14 Jul 2011 Larry Melican, Gosford Council