Wamberal Beach seawall debate: Protesters rally outside Central Coast Council

Passionate protesters against a seawall at Wamberal Beach urged council to “pause” a decision on its seawall design guidelines. Hear what happened at the meeting.

More than 70 protesters spoke loud and clear outside Central Coast Council – “we are going to defend this beach for the people”.

A protest by Wamberal Beach SOS Save Our Sand was held outside council’s Wyong building on Tuesday ahead of the council meeting which saw design guidelines for a seawall approved.

Protesters made their opposition to a seawall clear, holding signs reading “proposed wall unlawful” and “beaches belong to the community”.

The group were keen to see council’s final adoption of engineering design requirements for a seawall deferred. They say a seawall will destroy Wamberal Beach and urged the council to look at alternate options to prevent erosion such as natural sand nourishment and planned retreat.

Wamberal Beach SOS Save Our Sand held a protest outside Central Coast Council on October 11 2022

Wamberal’s Mark Lamont said the decision should be deferred until councillors are reinstated and the council is no longer under administration.

“It feels like a swiftie,” he said.

“They need to put a pause on this until we have an elected local government.

“The council are pushing ahead and the only options put out for community consultation were for seawalls. Why wasn’t there a non wall option. No one here wants any wall yet we don’t have an option … the entire beach will be eroded. It’s about our future and a beautiful part of the coast.”

Wamberal Beach SOS Save Our Sand’s Hugh Naven called for council to defer the matter. Picture: Facebook

Council’s CEO David Farmer told protesters people are allowed to put protective measures on their properties.

Wamberal Beach SOS Save Our Sand’s Hugh Naven told the Express that members of the community were protesting to have their say on the future of Wamberal Beach.

“We have been campaigning for two and a half years and haven’t had much of a say as council continues to push ahead with their seawall agenda,” he said.

“All we are asking is for the council to look at alternative solutions. We believe there is a way we can protect the homes and the beach.”

He spoke at the meeting and demanded council not adopt any seawall recommendation and investigate options of sand nourishment and planned retreat.

Council’s Administrator Rik Hart adopted the engineering design requirements to “boos” from the gallery of protesters.

Central Coast Council Administrator Rik Hart passed the guidelines to help protect public amenity.

Mr Hart said the decision for a seawall and ongoing sand nourishment was made after extensive studies and adopted by the former Gosford council in 2015.

“What we are considering tonight is purely design guidelines,” he said.

“As it stands right now any landowner can lodge a DA to protect their property. But at the moment there are no desired guidelines. By having public guidelines we protect public amenity and determine what a seawall will look like and who will pay for it.”

Mr Hart said the time frames between extreme weather events was getting shorter with risks increasing.

Aerial view after the 2020 storms that saw some homes partly crumble. Picture: Troy Snook

The council report outlined the results of recent community consultation from the draft design requirements which revealed that the 72 private landowners from Wamberal surf club to 1 Pacific St will foot the bill of between $25-40m.

Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL), who were engaged by council after the 2020 storms, have outlined five concept designs with the option of a vertical seawall having the best cost benefit ratio, followed by a vertical wall with a toe.

MHL found that three of the five options would need sand nourishment about every 10 years at a cost of $316,650 a year.

Five options for different seawall designs to prevent erosion at Wamberal Beach have been floated with option three preferred. Picture: Supplied

During the consultation period, 247 written submissions were received with 13.8 per cent against the seawall, 8.5 per cent in support and many queries to council around who foots the bill and how a seawall would impact the amenity of Wamberal Beach.

The adopted engineering design requirements reiterate that landowners are responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of any seawall fronting their property and will also be required to help fund ongoing sand nourishment.

The “identified criteria” for a seawall design outlined in the requirements are:

• “The seawall is to be located as far landward as possible to reduce interaction with

coastal processes and maximise available beach width

Damage sustained during the 2020 storms. Picture: Troy Snook

• The seawall is to be located wholly on private property where possible

• The seawall is to be constructed, owned and maintained by property owners

• The seawall is to have the least sand nourishment requirements practicable to maintain beach amenity, both upfront and over the serviceable life of the structure.”

More than 1000 people attended the beach protest on September 11. Picture: Facebook

Council will be responsible for works on council-owned land, however is planning to write to the State Government for extra support.

“Without terminal protection and the implementation of the long-term strategy, coastal erosion will continue to threaten private homes, public infrastructure, community amenity and enjoyment, and expose ad hoc structures placing the safety of the public at risk,” the council report states.

“Beach erosion will incrementally get worse and require a continuation of expensive emergency works that are not designed for a long-term solution and can potentially impact beach safety and amenity for the community.”