Port Macquarie Breakwall: councillors, bodyboarding champ Damien King fight proposal

Concerned locals gathered at Port Macquarie’s southern breakwall to share their feedback with the state government regarding a proposal to upgrade the iconic site.

Concerned locals gathered at Port Macquarie’s breakwall this week, demanding the state government reconsider their plans to update the site.

Transport for NSW Maritime’s proposal reveals “a major rebuild of the southern breakwall is needed to ensure its continued longevity”, with the concept design outlining plans to rebuild 600m of the breakwall along the river section, construct a new 5m-wide footpath, build a new access ramp to the caravan park, and install new lighting on the shared pedestrian/cycling path.

Three-time world bodyboarding champ and long-time local Damien King organised Tuesday’s rally, saying he disagrees with the plans and that the breakwall is a site that’s close to his heart.

“I’ve lived here all my life and I’m opposed to this proposal,” he said.

“We have something really special out here, the unique structure of how this beach and breakwall form has created world-class waves that are known not only in Australia but all over the place.

“Their (proposed) design, which resembles a mushroom-shape at the end of the breakwall, will change water flow and sand movement, which will have a negative effect.

“If they get it wrong, it’ll be huge – it’s the heart of town, so to ruin Town Beach is a pretty big call.”

Mr King said he was “stoked” with Tuesday’s turnout, admitting he didn’t expect so many people to come along and share their feedback alongside him.

Among those supporting the cause was Port Macquarie-Hastings’ Mayor Peta Pinson and Councillor Danielle Maltman.

“Hats off to Damien for organising this event but, more importantly, hats off to our community who turned out in droves to show their support for what Damien and other surfers are saying: that this break is known globally and it cannot be destroyed,” Mayor Pinson said.

“Here we are, middle of the day on a Tuesday, and people came out in numbers – they’ve left their workplaces – to come and show their support.

“So I really think the state government needs to listen to the voices of Port Macquarie because we need to ensure that we’re enhancing our beautiful region and not destroying what makes us unique.”

She also referred to the then-mayor’s 2016 decision to write to the state government explaining that, if work were to be done to the breakwall, there was a risk of destroying the surf break.

“So here we are, in 2022, and all of a sudden this project has been raised,” mayor Pinson said.

“And we really need to talk about what we’re going to do to stop the iconic Norfolk Pines being knocked down, to protect this world-renowned surf break, and also to recognise that the art on the rocks is really treasured by the people who painted them.”

Cr Maltman echoed the mayor’s sentiment, saying more thought needs to be put into the proposal, and that a “rip, tear, bust” approach isn’t suitable.

“I’ve been up in Kings Cliff at the NSW Coastal Conference and they just did an update – they’ve got trees that have been saved with concrete bollards and chairs,” she said.

“So we know it can be done.”

A Stand In The Park members Simon and Robyn were also in attendance on Tuesday, fighting the proposal.

“It’s good for people to come along to events like this, so they can see what’s going on,” Simon said.

They, like many locals, believe there hasn’t been enough community consultation regarding the proposed upgrades.

“If (Maritime) says they want community feedback, you can guarantee they’re already going to do it,” Robyn said.

“Feedback is just to keep the public happy, shut them up and make them think they’ve got a voice – we have no voice.

“This is a done deal, it will get done.”

The concerned locals suggested Maritime give more consideration to the natural environment – the trees and water that line either side of the breakwall.

“Nature was here first, let nature take its course,” Simon said.

And they aren’t the only ones worried about the future of the iconic site.

Michelle, who has lived in Port Macquarie for over three decades, believes the proposal doesn’t adequately address the community’s concerns.

“The reason I moved here from the Central Coast was because it’s open, green and lush,” she said.

“On the second page (of the proposal documents), they said one Norfolk Pines and one Casuarina will be removed – however, when you get to the fourth page, its 15 Norfolk Pine and 11 Casuarina trees.”

Michelle went down to the footpath to measure the distance herself.

She referred to the recent beautification project of the Town Green footpath – out the front of The Beach House and Rydges – which saw the installation of a 3.6m-wide pebbled walkway.

“But they want this (breakwall) path to be extended to 5m and, to do that, we lose all of our Norfolk Pines and all of our Casuarina trees right along the whole walkway,” Michelle said.

“And that’s just not going to happen, so we need the community to share their feedback with the government.”

Meanwhile, state member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams is standing in support of the proposal.

“The breakwall was built over a period of 40 years with construction starting in 1897 and was completed in 1939 - the last major maintenance was carried out in 2015 on the head of the breakwall to repair damaged caused by a major weather event,” she said.

“Subsequent to that, in 2016 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council undertook community consultation on upgrade plans they had developed.

“The concept plans were designed to maximise the use of the Breakwall which, as we know, is very popular for visitors and locals.

“In 2018, council voted to write to the then Minister for Lands and Forestry, Paul Toole, reminding him of the significant community consultation undertaken and requested the commencement of this long-overdue priority project.

“Now, essential maintenance needs to be carried out again due to rocks having settled and shifted over time, creating voids which compromise the effectiveness and stability of the structure.”

Mrs Williams supports Transport for NSW Maritime’s plans to widen the shared pathway, improve lighting and access, and the installation a fishing platform, which she believes is in line with council’s Concept Plan.

“I will continue to encourage locals to have their say by making a submission until the closing date, and I thank those people who have already taken up this invitation or have attended one of numerous information sessions held in recent weeks,” she said.

“I certainly won’t be supporting any delays in the commencement of the upgrade works but, what I will do, is use appropriate channels to ensure that the concerns of the local community are taken into account.”

This week in Parliament, Mrs Williams met with the Minister for Transport, David Elliott, and Maritime senior managers.

“They have assured me all issues that I have raised will be carefully considered,” she said.

“I certainly expressed concerns raised in relation to the removal of the Norfolk Island pine trees and staff have assured me that, during an upcoming site visit, we will review the width of the path and consider other design options in consultation with council to retain as many trees as possible.

“In relation to the concerns regarding the impact of any works on the surfing breaks, I can assure the surfing fraternity that we are committed to working with you to ensure your fears are allayed.

“Only minimal maintenance work is needed at the head of the breakwall for the current proposed works, with only about 400 tonnes of rock being brought in.

“The proposed rock placement does not extend into the adjacent river or into the ocean bed, so the footprint of the head of the break wall will remain unchanged.

“Transport for NSW Maritime have also assured me that they will conduct further consultation with local surfing groups about the breakwall design in the coming weeks.”

In relation to questions from councillors regarding a contract to acquire the rocks for the project, Mrs Williams said “the signing of a contract for the supply of the rocks is insignificant in relation to the current consultation process.”

She explained that Transport for NSW Maritime “took this step early because any disruption to the supply of rocks could cause significant delays in the project”.

“By securing the rock supply, the aim is to ensure that the breakwall is closed for the shortest duration possible while works are carried out,” Mrs Williams said.

“I appreciate and understand fully the importance of the rock art along the breakwall and the community’s strong connection to the artwork.

“Unfortunately, the upgrade works will require the rocks to be replaced with new rocks and some rocks will be repurposed as part of the new wall.

“Prior to any work commencing, we want to encourage anyone with a story about the rocks, or the history of the southern breakwall, to capture and share these using their smart phones to film a 30-second video - we will then create an archive to give back to the community.

“While many existing rocks will be repurposed, when finished, this will be a fresh canvas for future rock art.

“The memorial plaques on some of the rocks are especially significant and Transport for NSW Maritime will be arranging for the safe and careful removal of the plaques before upgrade work starts in the first half of 2023 - the plaques will be stored while arrangements are made for their collection so that they can be handed back to families.

“Again, I thank residents who have made submissions on project design understanding that this maintenance work must be carried out to protect the integrity of this navigational infrastructure, while at the same time enhancing a popular shared walkway on the Hastings River.”

Transport for NSW Maritime was contacted for a comment but did not provide one.

The opportunity to provide feedback closes July 15, and you can have your say here.