Despite sweltering temperatures, about 800 people gathered at Wamberal on Sunday, January 21, to voice their opposition to a seawall at the popular beach.
The latest in a string of protests organised by the Save Our Sand (SOS) group saw many waving banners as they once more rejected a seawall as a viable solution to the beach’s ongoing erosion problems.
SOS member Mark Lamont said the huge turnout on such a hot day made it very clear that the “overwhelming majority of people in this area do not want a seawall at Wamberal Beach”.
“They do not want Central Coast Council to proceed with a seawall DA (development application) in conjunction with Wamberal Protection Association (WPA),” he said.
“Expert opinion indicates sand nourishment and dune regeneration can rehabilitate the beach and make it more sustainable.
“It is a much more cost-effective option which would do a better job of protecting those who live along the beach and the lagoons.”
Eleanor Harrison told the crowd she grew up at Terrigal and swam, rode her surfboard and wave ski, walked and fished along Wamberal Beach.
“Three generations of my family have patrolled Wamberal Beach – almost continuously since the 1950s; two generations of my family still patrol,” she said.
“I was President of the Wamberal Ladies Auxiliary for 10 years and in 1980 the first woman to pass the bronze medallion for our club.
“I then went on to Power Surf Rescue based in the Haven – so … my roots are buried deep here; I do know this beach.
“Wamberal beach used to be a wide, clean beach.
“It was a wonderful place to bring up your family, with a hundred metres or so of foot-burning golden sand down to the water’s edge.
“Surf carnivals were held in front on the club with many march-past teams lined up on the enormous stretch of sand.
“A wall ending right here at the surf club would greatly endanger the stability of the dunes here and to the north in the Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve which has strict environmental protection as it is home to several endangered species, as well as our resident sea eagles.
“A wall ending at Terrigal Lake would endanger Terrigal Lake.
“Science has proved that seawalls in places like this create more problems than they solve.
“Backwash strips sand from the beach and the natural coastal processes are unable to replenish the sand as the gradual slope, with wind and wave that creates the process, is gone.”
Harrison said building on a sand dune any time after the 1974 and 1978 storms was “foolhardy at best”.
“The combination of no sand with rising tides will make the beach a dangerous place especially when faced with a huge concrete wall and overtopping waves,” she said.
“Imagine being unable to walk from Terrigal to Wamberal on one of those wonderful stormy days.
“No beach means no tourists; no tourists means the collapse of many small businesses.
“Holidaymakers will go elsewhere to find a lovely golden sandy beach to play on with their children, to surf, board ride, picnic, fish and enjoy.
“A wall would ruin any surf breaks that build from the formation of natural sand banks that have always been a feature of the Terrigal to Wamberal coast.
“Wash backs would cause unstable breaks in all conditions.
“There must never be a private wall built behind a public beach.
“The homes around the lagoons at Terrigal and Wamberal will be affected by flooding to a greater extent if a wall is built.
“The power of waves will be redirected to the end of the seawall, creating waves that will penetrate the lagoons bringing rising water levels.
“More homes and infrastructure around those lakes will be put at risk.”
Justin Hickey also addressed the crowd, representing Wamberal Boardriders Club, which has 120 members ranging in age from 5 to 73.
“For us this beach represents joy, social connection and community,” he said.
“This beach is used in so many ways from exercise to quiet reflection, relaxation and time with family and nature.
“(It) is grounding, resilient and healing.
“Wamberal beach is worth fighting for.
“This beach belongs to you, to us, and we expect our government to prioritise it, protect it and hold it in trust for future generations.”
He said a seawall would create the need for ongoing sand replenishment and increase the risk to surfers, swimmers and the public.
The gathering called on Minister for the Central Coast David Harris and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch to support residents in fighting a seawall.
It urged residents to send Council and local MPs messages opposing a seawall.
Terry Collins