Byron Bay Main Beach erosion creates rock hazards

There is fresh hope a famous stretch of beach is set to return it to its former glory after being gutted by erosion. But lifeguards are still wary of hazards hidden beneath the waves.

Lifeguard Finn Crisp assesses rock hazards at Main Beach in Byron Bay. Picture: Liana Boss

It’s a “slow and episodic process” but Byron Shire Council is hopeful the worst of erosion at Main Beach has passed.

But those working to keep Byron’s usually idyllic waters safe have had to change their approach as submerged rocks plague the bay.

Byron Bay lifeguard supervisor Steve Mills said sand had been slowly rebuilding toward the back of Main Beach but it was far from prime condition.

“There’s still a lot of exposed rock in the inshore gutter which means it’s unsafe to put up swimming flags,” Mr Mills said.

“Currently we put up the flags when possible, conditions permitting, between the two groynes at Main Beach.”

Lifeguards Finley Stubbs, Finn Crisp and supervisor Steve Mills have been placing the flags between the rock groynes at Byron Bay’s Main Beach. Picture: Liana Boss

Mr Mills said it gave lifeguards a limited window because the location was only suitable for about four hours a day at low tide.

While parts of Main Beach look better than they have at other times, Mr Mills said there was still a deep inshore trough and the sand that had returned to the beach could disappear in the right weather conditions.

“One good swell from the right angle could quite easily take the sand off,” he said.

He said while the rocks were “definitely a big hazard”, there had been no major injuries on the beach as a result of them, to his knowledge.

“There’s been one or two incidents but no major incidents,” he said.

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said he was hopeful the beach would be replenished.

Erosion on Main Beach in Byron Bay. Picture: Liana Boss

Council staff and consultants have been monitoring the beach and they believe the right processes are under way for the beach to be rebuilt.

“For almost 12 months we have seen this iconic stretch of coastline absolutely stripped of sand and the dunes decimated so it would be terrific to know that we may have seen the worst of this erosion event,” Mr Lyon said.

“Aside from the loss of sand, one of the most difficult things for our community to see was metres and metres of vegetation and large trees falling down the steep dune faces to the point where most of it has gone.”

The beach at The Wreck in Byron Bay has been subject to erosion. Picture: Liana Boss

The council’s coast, biodiversity and sustainability co-ordinator Chloe Dowsett said aerial images taken monthly were painting a positive picture.

She said those images showed a large amount of sand had flowed around Cape Byron into the bay and was moving onshore.

“It’s a slow and episodic process but it does look like we may have been through the worst of the erosion and the sand is slowly being pushed back onto the beaches,” Ms Dowsett said.

“However, this is just one sand slug, and we will need more to come around the cape after this one moves through.”