Vegetation has little impact on sand movement

Michael Gillian's comments on the Ettalong Beach Foreshore Management Plan (Peninsula News, August 21) is a case of never letting the truth get in the way of good story.

The Ettalong Beach Foreshore Management Plan was funded by Gosford City Council under their Financial Strategy funds and was prepared by McGregor Partners, fully qualified urban designers, at Council's instruction.

The plan was based on the 1998 Ettalong Beach Foreshore Management Study prepared by Patterson Britton Partners who have degrees in Engineering Science - Coastal Engineering.

Contrary to Mr Gillian's claims, private enterprise had no financial involvement in the planning process.

Studies, research and photographic evidence clearly show that the foreshore is constantly changing as it has done for hundreds of years.

It is identified within a 50-year coastal hazard zone and it is recognized that storm erosion would remove a major portion of the beach in a 1 in 50 year event if nothing is done.

That was clearly recognised before any studies progressed.

Mr Gillian fails to understand (or perhaps chooses not to understand) that studies to date clearly show that vegetation does not protect the foreshore against storm erosion or shoreline recession.

He is mistaken if he believes that vegetation will slow erosion.

In fact, vegetation will only stabilise wind-blown sand.

The periodic erosion of Ettalong Beach is caused by storm waves and the movement of the sand along the beach by tidal currents.

Vegetation has little impact on this process.

Many locals will know from experience that at Ettalong Point and the foreshore reserve there is a regular build-up of sand as is evident in aerial photographs which are taken annually.

This build up forms active "slugs" of sand which move and circulate in response to tide, currents, wind and swell waves.

These sand slugs are presently returning to Ettalong Beach as part of a natural process.

Mr Gillian sees this movement of sand from Ettalong Point as a catastrophe.

In actual fact, this is "mother nature's" way of returning the sand back into Brisbane Water towards Ettalong.

We see these changes every year and it has been recorded over the past 50 years with aerial photography.

This photography forms part of the foreshore study.

The objective of the Foreshore Management Plan is to return the beach for public enjoyment whilst at the same time putting in place the correct management plan to protect the beach from erosion and wind blown sand.

This can be undertaken without the need to impose artificial micro-environments that rob the community of public access.

The 1998 Patterson Britton report clearly identifies that the extent of vegetation can be reduced as it only serves to trap the wind blown sand.

The plan currently on exhibition recommends minimal removal of the vegetation which will not achieve any significant improvements the beach amenity and views from The Esplanade.

That is why many of us in the community are seeking that the present plan on exhibition reflects the recommendations of the studies.

The trapping of wind-blown sand can be effectively achieved with a narrow band of low vegetation in conjunction with sand trap fencing.

This can be combined with viewing platforms and timber promenades which will ensure that the community can fully enjoy Ettalong's greatest asset ... the beach.

In Mr Gillian's world, such assets should be buried in weed infested scrub which encourages nothing but vermin, rubbish, drug addicts and the homeless.

Give us our beach back!

Debra Wales Umina Beach