Council investigates removing dune vegetation to prevent Cronulla beach erosion
A Sydney council has investigated ways to counter erosion at Cronulla beaches following shock images that showed the extent of sand dune scarping after July storms. Find out the new plan.
St George Shire Standard
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Sutherland Shire Council has determined removing vegetation from sand dunes at Cronulla would be a costly and futile exercise to prevent severe beach erosion.
The council investigated the option after there was strong social media interest and discussion following significant coastal erosion caused from high swells in July.
There was severe scarping of the coastline, temporary closure of beaches and accessways along the shoreline, and built assets being destabilised including the North Cronulla Beach lifeguard tower, Prince Street and seawall.
It was estimated that over 200,000 cubic metres of sand was removed from the Bate Bay shore, prompting alarm from residents, visitors and a quick response from the council.
In July, Sutherland Shire councillors requested an update on the progress of the Bate Bay Coastal Management Program, with a report being prepared for Monday’s council meeting.
Officers assessed the viability and impacts of removing vegetation from sand dunes.
The social media interest referenced a Wollongong City Council trial where dune vegetation was removed at Woonona Beach in 2014, with members of the community questioning if Sutherland council should do the same at Cronulla beaches.
The removal of dune vegetation was to improve sight lines for the lifeguard and provide a wider and flatter beach.
The Bate Bay Coastal Management Program identified, key initiatives within the plan, set to protect and enhance the coastline.
They included were the widening of the Esplanade between Cronulla and North Cronulla; improving connections to the shoreline; building an engineered buried sea wall at North Cronulla Beach, having bleacher seating and improved beach access at Perryman Place.
The council also wanted to carry out restorative works to the Prince Street seawall, which was currently vulnerable to undermining in large ocean swell events and beach nourishment from dredging of the Port Hacking River.
Among other options was removing vegetation at Cronulla beaches but council officers did not recommend it.
“Since the July coastal event, the North Cronulla beach has substantially widened and increased in height in certain locations by over two metres,” the report said.
“It is a natural process for a beach to have dune scarping, to replenish, to widen and to narrow.”
The council reported noted money would have to be spent to remove the vegetation but nature would ultimately restore conditions without intervention.
“As such, the trial works would not be a permanent outcome and require ongoing funding to retain,” the report said.
“Climate change will in all likelihood increase the frequency and intensity of dynamic coastal events like those experienced in 2022.
“It remains critical for beach dunes to be a stabilised store of sand to mitigate the impact of such events.
Nor was there merit to carry out vegetation removal north of Wanda, with the community not considering having a wider beach a priority.
The vegetation removal was also not recommended in the council’s Bate Bay Coastal Management Program, which outlines the strategic aims that guide the management, preservation, improvement, promotion, and rehabilitation of the Bate Bay coastal area from Bass and Flinders Point at the southern limit, to Potter Point at the northern limit.
These actions include physical works, community engagement and education, new operating approaches as well as increased planning and monitoring requirements.
The council wants to also monitor the shoreline and beach scraping and provide safe access to the shoreline.
Detailed planning, investigation, design and approval will be required of these several actions and will need state and federal funding.
Council staff hope to initiate all the above items in the next five years.
Community forum sessions will be held for community members to learn more and ask questions.
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