Dredged sand to replenish Ocean and Umina beaches

Dredging of the Ettalong Channel is planned to start again in April, with dredged sand to be deposited on Ocean and Umina beaches, according to Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales said that Crown Lands had recently confirmed with the Chamber that arrangements had been made.

"This decision came about following meetings between Crown Lands, the dredging contractor and Central Coast Council in late February which established the logistics around the dredging and sand placement along the beachfront.

"Crowns Lands has advised that an expanded compound area is required to accommodate additional equipment, pipes and dredging/pump machinery.

"The dredging contractor is currently organising the additional equipment and will undertake a pre-dredging bed level survey of the channel in late March ahead of the main dredging works".

"The Chamber is particularly pleased that both the NSW State Government and Central Coast Council have acted quickly on this next phase of the dredging works which form part of the long-term solution to the regular maintenance of the Ettalong Channel.

"I think everyone will welcome the proposed renourishment works along Ocean Beach which has been severely impacted by storm events and erosion over the last 12 months to the point where some parts of the beach were almost unusable".

Mr Wales said the chamber would now push council to restore the beach access points both outside the Ocean Beach Surf Club and east along The Esplanade opposite Norman St which have been closed for months due to unstable dune conditions.

"The Ocean Beach foreshore is an extremely important piece of our coastal infrastructure that contributes to our local tourist industry.

"Therefore, it was vitally important that both the NSW State Government and the Council take the renourishment and beach restoration works seriously.

"Finally we will be seeing some positive action which will be widely welcomed across the local community", he said.

Peninsula Waterways Committee agreed.

"It is about time that action was seen to be taken, rather than just talked about," committee chair Mr Mike Allsop said.

"In particular, it should be welcome news for those interested in the beachfront.

"I would hope that the location and method of sand distribution aligns with engineering recommendations developed for the Department of Lands.

"To date we have not heard any specifics regarding additional channel works, but these are welcome in principle.

"We look forward to seeing the plans for these works and getting more insight into the anticipated results for the performance of the channel,'' Mr Allsop said.

SOURCE

Media release, 18 Mar 2019

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Media statement, 20 Mar 2019

Mke Allsop, Peninsula Waterways Committee