Learn lessons from the storms

We were so lucky during the recent storms that the wind came from the north east and not the south east.

One wonders just how long the sandbag wall will last with the increasing number of severe storms combined with king tides.

The erosion is well under way at either end of this wall and in many places it is not far from the road. Still, the authorities are on to it.

Just like the Greek Sisyphus, who constantly tried to push a stone up a mountain, large amounts of sand are being moved from one end of the beach to the other and it will be a continuing job.

Despite no one knowing what to do about this area, permission is still being given for large buildings to replace trees and old dwellings.

Who will be required to pay when these buildings are undermined or collapse?

Surely we know by now the erratic behaviour of beaches.

Seawalls are not the answer.

They may give protection for a time but eventually they fail and also cause damage elsewhere along the coast to other people.

Evidence for this may be seen on the east coast of America and the UK. So why are developers continuing to build mansions along the Esplanade?

Ettalong is on the estuary and is very vulnerable.

Insurers are well aware of the problems, so why are developers permitted to continue with this madness?

Surely we must learn to live on the planet as it is and not pretend that we are its masters.

Email, 20 Jun 2016

Margaret Lund, Ettalong