Council must take action to protect lagoon
Almost two years ago, I contacted Council complaining about ongoing vandalism of Pearl Beach Lagoon.
For many years, the lagoon performed a vital function maintaining the creek level, protecting vegetation from the influx of salt water and supporting a gazetted fish hatchery that thrived in the creek behind the beach.
Destruction started when Council workers and, in some cases, independent contractors hired by beachside residents, cut channels direct from the creek to the ocean by-passing the lagoon.
The creek level dropped by 12 feet and the effects were disastrous.
The lagoon was destroyed, the hatchery was killed off, vegetation along the creek died and the upper reaches, including the arboretum, dried out.
In July 2022, Council wrote referring to a 2017 Lagoon and Creek Entrance Management Review.
It declared a policy of opposition to further mechanical openings of the Green Point Creek unless for exceptional circumstances.
Without further man-made interference, the creek level rose, vegetation recovered and the lagoon had started to re-form.
Inexplicably two months ago, Council bulldozers operating on the beach pushed sand over the lagoon obliterating it once again.
I advised acting environmental manager Mr James Lawson when this occurred.
Over the Christmas period the creek, once again reverted back its natural path and the lagoon started to reform only to be destroyed once more.
A deep channel has been cut from the creek to the beach.
The situation is now that, despite Council's claimed concern, the lagoon and attendant eco-system is in its worst ever condition.
Locals report that the creek is at lowest level on record.
The upper reaches are totally dried up and encroaching salt-water is again killing off vegetation.
I urge someone from Council to make the time to inspect the area.
Fortunately Council can take still take action to halt further destruction of the lagoon and supporting eco-system.
Council will need to fill in the man-made channel from the creek to the ocean and dig a small channel to partially re-form the lagoon.
The system will then heal itself.
Of course its future necessitates Council workers being instructed to not disturb the lagoon and, also, restraining those few beachfront residents who object to the historic lagoon impinging on their direct ocean access.
SOURCE:
Email, 10 Jan 2024
Chris Gibson, Pearl Beach