A temporary sandbag seawall at Clarkes Beach could remain for years as authorities consider how to tackle Byron’s erosion issue into the future
Consideration will likely be given to whether a popular beachfront cafe should be moved or “reconfigured” if Crown Lands was allowed to retain its sandbags at the Byron Bay beach for an extended period.
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Consideration will be given to whether a popular beachfront cafe should be moved or “reconfigured”, as authorities prepare to manage Byron Bay’s severe beach erosion into the future.
An online information session will be held next week to delve into plans to retain a sandbag seawall at Clarkes Beach for five years.
The Crown Lands arm of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment rebuilt a section of dune at Clarkes Beach in October and November last year, with 650 sandbags used to create the wall, which was 80 metres long and seven metres deep.
More than 2700 cubic metres of sand was brought from Pottsville to rebuild the dune behind the sandbag wall.
A spokesman for the department said there were currently no plans to increase the scale of this seawall.
But a development application, which will seek approval to keep the seawall there for about five years, was being prepared and will be lodged with Byron Shire Council.
“The department is planning to undertake revegetation works and is working with Byron Shire Council on an appropriate species list and revegetation plan,” the spokesman said.
“A development application and EIS (environmental impact statement) are expected to be completed by August.”
He said members of the community would have a chance to ask questions of the department during the July 9 online information and feedback session.
“Crown Lands is conducting the session as it relates to its intended development application,” he said.
At the crux of the application was the idea that this five year period would allow time for a precinct plan, to manage coastal erosion, to be prepared.
Consideration will also be given as to whether the Beach Byron Bay cafe, which sits on the precipice of the badly eroded Clarkes Beach, should be “reconfigured and/or relocated”.
The precinct plan would be separate to the council’s own Coastal Management Plan.
“It is a separate process, but we are consulting with Byron Shire Council and other stakeholders and looking to integrate it as much as possible,” the spokesman said.
“The council is leading the development of a coastal management program for Cape Byron to South Golden Beach under the NSW coastal management framework.
“Crown Lands is a part of this process along with other agencies and stakeholders.”
Crown Lands manages a section of beach in proximity to Reflections Holiday Park while Main Beach falls under the council’s management but the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Marine Park Authority are also stakeholders in the erosion issues on this stretch of Byron’s coast.
Pre-lodgement feedback can be send to robyn@hydrosphere.com.au until 4.30pm on July 16.
The online feedback and information session will be held from 10 to 11am on Friday, July 9; register to attend via robyn@hydrosphere.com.au before close of business, July 6.
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