Plan does not maintain dune integrity
The Ettalong Beach Dune Management Plan states: "An important feature of the study is the presence of the 50-year hazard zone which extends to the landward side of The Esplanade ... vegetation is one of the best means of slowing the effects of erosion and the movement of wind-blown sand".
On the basis of this, I expected to see the plan provide real support for the dune area to provide ongoing protection of the foreshore.
The problems of severe erosion and the need for good management can be clearly seen at the Lance Webb Reserve which abuts this dune area.
I was surprised therefore to read:
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the dune vegetation width would be reduced from 25-30 metres in many sections, to an average width of seven metres ( Sections 6.2 and 6.51 )
* the sand dune would be reshaped to lower the build-up of sand and fill the hollow created in the dune ... using earth-moving equipment ( Section 6.7)
* a plan with three viewing platforms covering more than 20 per cent of the dune area (see map)
* a recommendation "to selectively remove of pockets of middle storey plants ... to provide better visual surveillance of the beach from The Esplanade (Section 6.4)
* plans for a masonry wall abutting the dune for seating purposes (Section 6.9)
How, I pondered, would these changes improve the functioning of the dune?
Would they help prevent erosion of The Esplanade, such as has occurred on Lance Webb Reserve?
Would they protect against higher sea levels and adverse weather patterns?
Would they prevent wind-blown sand on The Esplanade?
I think not.
Why then, would Council exhibit such a mismanagement plan?
I offer a few possible suggestions:
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the existence of a legal document between the Ettalong Beach War Memorial and Council (EBWMC) requiring Council to carry out works in this area (on exhibition in some centres - dated 8 December, 1998 )
* the consultants, it is understood, initially briefed and paid not by Council but by commercial interests
* inadequate community consultation: Only two stakeholder meetings held, both with a majority of commercial interests and only one community representative invited
It is possible to find compromise solutions for this area to provide better visual connection to the beach and some improved beach area.
It is not realistic to expect the beach can be re-instated to what it may have been in the1970s and 80s - you only need to walk down the beach from Ettalong to Umina to see the impacts of last week's high seas.
These weather changes are a permanent feature which we must take into account.
Residents keen to protect the foreshore and maintain the integrity of the dune system to prevent future erosion of The Esplanade should make their concerns known to The Department of Lands at Maitland.
The foreshore is Crown Land.
It is only administered by Council.
Michael Gillian
Peninsula Dunecare.
Ettalong Beach