Works to reopen blocked Narrabeen Lagoon set to begin

There are concerns that the summer tourism season will be affected by the entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon again being blocked by sand. But Northern Beaches Council has a plan.

Sand being removed from Narrabeen Lagoon, east of the Ocean St bridge, late last year. Picture: Supplied

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Work is set to begin to re-open the entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon.

Experts believe the channel recently closed over due to a combination of too much sand on North Narrabeen Beach and a lack of rainfall.

The eastern end of Narrabeen Lagoon in June last year. Picture: Supplied

The mouth to the lagoon was sealed by sand again after Northern Beaches Council called in excavation contractors to open it to the ocean late last year.

There have been concerns among residents that the lagoon could become stagnant and smelly and affect visitor numbers in the summer school holidays and peak tourist season.

In the run up to Christmas last year the council contractors removed more than 70,000 tonnes of sand from the lagoon entrance after it closed over in April.

They dredged the channel, on both sides of the Ocean St bridge, to help reduce the risk of flooding to surrounding roads, residences and reserves.

The sand was used to replenish the Collaroy-Narrabeen beachfront.

Council contractors moved tonnes of sand from the mouth of Narrabeen Lagoon south along the beach to Narrabeen and Collaroy to build up erosion prone areas. Picture: John Grainger

Council CEO Ray Brownlee said the council was preparing to do further works so it could maximise how long the lagoon would stay open following the next significant rainfall.

“The Narrabeen Lagoon entrance has naturally closed again, most likely due to the large amounts of sand at North Narrabeen Beach and the prolonged drought conditions we are experiencing,” Mr Brownlee said.

Removal of sand from Narrabeen Lagoon west of the Ocean St bridge. Picture: Supplied

“Council is planning to undertake minor excavation works around the mouth of the lagoon, which will help it re-open and stay open for longer, when we next receive significant rainfall.

“We are planning to conduct these works for a week starting on Monday, November 5.”

Mr Brownlee acknowledged that there were some members of the community who wanted the council to reopen the lagoon every time it closed.

“(But) the local topography and sand movements required the water level in the lagoon to be at a certain level before we can open the entrance or it will simply close over again.

“Council is also mindful that maintaining the lagoon entrance is an important community issue, and we are serious about ensuring a balance between retaining the public amenity of the opening and protecting the lagoon against flood risk.”