Premier Gladys Berejiklian was in The Entrance on December 19 to inspect work on the recently completed rock groyne.
The completed rock groyne will help retain sand along The Entrance Beach and reduce the potential for sand to move into The Entrance Channel from the south.
“We’ve delivered on our election commitment to improve conditions in The Entrance Channel, particularly for swimmers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This work has been completed just in time for the school holidays, a busy time for locals, visitors and The Entrance SLSC.
“By helping to prevent sand moving into the channel from the south, tidal flow is maintained and water quality improves.
“Swimmers on the Entrance Beach will also benefit, as the groyne will help prevent erosion,” she said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, said the beach had often been closed due to severe erosion.
“This rock groyne will keep sand on the beach for longer and improve conditions for visitors, particularly in front of the Surf Club,” Mr MacDonald said.
“More than 6,000 tonnes of rock were used to build the 100-metre groyne, which took just three months to build.”
The work included relocating the Surf Life Saving Club’s observation tower to allow for a view of The Entrance Beach as well as the channel foreshore area.
The next stage of the project involves dredging up to 15,000 cubic metres of sand from The Entrance channel and renourishing the beach to the south of the rock groyne.
It is expected the rock groyne will help retain the dredged sand on the beach for around five years, before the beach will again need renourishing.
The Department of Industry, Lands and Water is planning to start the next phase of work around April to avoid the peak swimming season.
Source:
Media release, Dec 19
Kit Hale, Office of Scot MacDonald MLC