NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for the Central Coast Abigail Boyd has tabled the Stop Wamberal Beach Seawall petition in NSW Parliament.
Tabled on September 12, the petition received 1,377 signatures in three weeks, and was instigated by Corinne Lamont from community group Wamberal Beach Save Our Sand (SOS).
The petition states that the Central Coast community objects to the proposed Wamberal seawall … which would “exacerbate the broader problem of coastal erosion in the long term and would have lasting catastrophic consequences on surrounding lagoon properties, sea flow, biodiversity and the climate”.
It calls for any action on a seawall to be stopped immediately, until a comprehensive State Government Environmental Impact Study (EIS) has been completed and adequate consultation has occurred.
It also calls for Wamberal Beach to stay in public hands by stopping all public land transfers.
Boyd said a seawall was never the right solution to manage coastal erosion.
“It just shifts the problem further up the beach and on to nearby homes and businesses,” she said.
“A 2017 Government study made it clear that a seawall would be costly and dangerous, and that planned retreat was the only sensible option, but Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart has nevertheless persisted with these reckless plans for a seawall.
“It’s no doubt devastating for the owners of properties along that strip, but we just can’t put the broader community at risk just to save a few homes temporarily.
“There’s no point arguing with nature – we need a long-term solution that recognises the science and serves the whole community.
“This is just the latest example of a council out of touch with the needs of the broader community and a reminder of how much we have all suffered as a result of the refusal to let the community choose democratically-elected councillors to replace this Administrator.”
SOS spokesperson Corinne Lamont said Labor campaigned locally on no seawall in the lead-up to the last election.
“The electorate responded with a massive swing to Labor,” she said.
“So, we are now calling on David Harris, Minister for the Central Coast, and Penny Sharpe, Government Legislative Council Leader and Environment Minister, to deliver on their election promise.
“We call on all members of the Legislative Council to back this petition to save the beach and protect hundreds of families living around the lagoons who would cop increased flooding due to seawall end effects.”
Source:
NSW Greens spokesperson for Central Coast, Abigail Boyd