New dune to be built at southern end of Pearl Beach

Central Coast Council will build a new dune in front of beachfront properties south of Green Pt Creek at Pearl Beach to help protect them from beach erosion and coastal inundation, according to a recently adopted coastal management plan.

Sand for the dune could be sourced from beach-scraping and using sand for "beach nourishment" from other sources, according to the recently-adopted Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Dune vegetation management would be the responsibility of the council and the Office of Environment and Heritage, with support given to local Dunecare groups and residents to maintain the dunes.

A vegetation profile will also be completed for Pearl Beach and ensure that dune planting is in line with the natural vegetation profile,.

Erosion protection for four properties similar to that for adjacent properties will be jointly funded by the State Government, Central Coast Council and landowners at a cost of up to $600,000.

The sewer infrastructure and pumping station may be relocated further landward "out of the hazard area along the entire street frontage of Gem Rd and Green Point Rd" at a cost of around $500,000.

A study would be undertaken to establish the feasibility.

The sewer is currently located at the seaward end of the properties.

The plan also gives Council responsibility for developing an entrance management policy for the mechanical opening of Green Point Creek, which would enable it to be opened at a defined water level and at a specific location on the beach berm to prevent scouring of the dunes.

The council would also investigate ways to prevent the creek from meandering in front of the properties at the southern end of the beach.

The work is expected to cost between $50,000 and $100,000 to be paid for jointly by Council, the NSW Government and landowners.

The Council will define a building line and controls for developments within the hazard zone at this portion of the beach.

Any redevelopment of the properties will need to be above the inundation level, and the Council is expected to survey all floor levels and compare them against wave run up to determine the degree of inundation hazard.

Also, up to $5000 is to be allocated for repairs to the Pearl Beach rock pool as a result of storm damage.

The Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan has been endorsed by Central Coast Council but is yet to be approved by the NSW Government.

SOURCE:

Management Plan, 26 Apr 2017

Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council