Members of the Wamberal Beach Save Our Sand (SOS) group conducted a protest in front of the Council Chambers at Wyong prior to the October 11 meeting over Council’s persistence in pursuing a seawall solution for ongoing erosion issues.
The Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection Structure Engineering Design Requirements was adopted at the meeting, providing the minimum standards homeowners are required to follow when implementing private walls through the DA system.
“In the past, we have outlined our concerns with the DA system as a mechanism for implementing erosion solutions,” SOS spokesperson, Hugh Naven, said.
“The introduction of a seawall through DA submissions would likely lead to a disjointed, understudied and misrepresentative outcome that will have adverse impacts on the beach.
“But more importantly, it means the community is unable to have a say about the solution.”
The release of the document comes just weeks after a protest at Wamberal saw more than 1,000 people gather to oppose a seawall and the implementation of the wall through the DA system.
“The protest this Tuesday is about drawing attention to the DA system being an ineffective mechanism for erosion response and the need to investigate alternate solutions,” Naven said.
“It bypasses key consultation, studies and reports that are essential to ensuring the best possible outcome for the beach, community and homeowners.
“For two and a half years now the community’s voice has been silenced.
“Over 4,000 in the Wamberal community are opposed to this wall yet Council and the State Government continue to forge ahead.
“Consultation on this matter has simply been tick the box and not about meaningful engagement – the community deserves a say, after all, it’s our beach.”
Naven said the issue would be a major topic going into next March’s state election.
“Those in power have the opportunity to listen to or ignore the community; we hope they make the right decision,” he said.
Naven told the meeting a State Government-appointed administrator should not make the decision and the matter should be delayed until a representative councillor body is elected.
It should also wait until the new Coastal Management Program is implemented, he said.
Naven said Council should ask the community what option they would like to see in that plan and not simply reimplement the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).
“The CZMP it is totally misrepresentative of current values – it received three community submissions about Wamberal and had 16 attendees at the information session,” he said.
Naven said a cost benefit analysis conducted by Marsden Jacob listed sand nourishment as the lowest cost option and planned retreat was the only option that provided net benefit.
Also speaking at the public forum was Lisa Kolinac on behalf of waterfront residents.
Kolinac said while residents acknowledged the principle of majority funding, the benefits of seawalls would “extend beyond the beachfront house owners”.
She called for Council to investigate some sort of part-funding from “government or other sources”, with residents to pay for the majority of the work.
“There is precedence in NSW for joint funding,” she said.
She also said home owners should not be responsible for the cost of any sand nourishment required.
But Council adopted the Design Requirements and reaffirmed its resolution of June 28 that responsibility for the design, construction and maintenance of any seawall fronting private property rests with the landowners.
Administrator, Rik Hart, reminded the gallery that the decision to have a seawall was actually made by an elected body, Gosford Council, in 2015.
“What we are considering tonight are merely the design guidelines,” he said.
“As it stands now, any homeowner can lodge a DA to protect their property but there are no guidelines.
“By having guidelines we protect the public amenity, how it looks and who pays for it.”
council administrator, rik hart
Coastal protection works fronting Council-owned land at the beach access ways and Wamberal Surf Lifesaving Club will be funded through Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.
Council will write to the State Government, as the owner of five beachfront allotments at The Ruins and 69 Ocean View Dr, seeking commitment for coastal protection works fronting those lands.
Council noted that sand nourishment is not expected to be required in the short term but when the need arises, as established by periodic monitoring of sand volume, private property owners will be required to contribute to the costs.
Council will also write to the Minister for Local Government, Minister for Planning and Homes, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Regional NSW seeking amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 to allow for the costs of construction works on private land to be recouped through a coastal protection services charge or similar mechanism and development of a NSW-wide approach to mass sand nourishment.
It will also ask for additional support for coastal councils to address the increasing risk of coastal erosion.
Terry Collins
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NEWS SEPTEMBER 12, 2022