Wamberal erosion: Central Coast Council to explore artificial reef
A solution that has worked in similar coastal areas for beach protection and improved surfing is being investigated by Central Coast Council as a possible solution to Wamberal’s problems.
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The establishment of an artificial reef will be explored by Central Coast Council in light of the Wamberal erosion disaster.
At last night’s meeting, councillors voted to approach Gold Coast Council in relation to the performance of its artificial reefs for beach protection along with improved surfing conditions.
It has been three weeks since the Wamberal erosion disaster which saw three homes partly crumble into the ocean, with many others suffering structural damage.
Cr Jilly Pilon pushed for council to look into the issue and consider artificial reefs such as the one at Palm Beach in Queensland, which has been labelled a success for the Gold Coast.
An artificial reef is a human-created underwater structure built to promote marine life, control erosion and improve surfing.
“None of us want to see beach erosion,” Cr Pilon said.
“This is not about a revetment wall or planned retreat. It’s purely a request to obtain information on existing reefs.”
She said similar to how Australia got behind bushland properties during the bushfires, it would be “un-Australian” not to support beachfront properties and also called for consultation with various local groups from board riding to spear fishing clubs.
Cr Bruce McLachlan said they were simply asking councillors to be “open-minded” about what protection measures are available.
He said Palm Beach reef was the Gold Coast’s second artificial reef.
“They wouldn’t build their second reef if the first reef wasn’t successful,” he said.
The council also voted to look at putting the option of artificial reefs into the Coastal Management Plan to ensure they can receive State Government funding if the option was viable.
With many Wamberal residents given the green light to head back to their Ocean View Dr properties this week, the erosion threat is far from over. Residents have vowed to continue to fight and lobby the council for a revetment wall as they have been for many years.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was on the coast on Tuesday and indicated the State Government had offered council a lot of support on the issue of erosion.
“Unfortunately council didn’t do what it should have,” she said.
Ms Berejiklian said the State Government wanted to work proactively with councils on coastal management.
“Some councils are better at it than others, some are too slow to act.”