NSW floods: Sydney beaches show toll of Sydney’s wild weather

Mother Nature has caused a Sydney beach’s scattered relics from its past to dislodge, causing a safety concern for beachgoers.

Twelve timber and concrete pylons were dislodged from Coogee Beach last night after contractors for Randwick City Council stumbled over the scattered relics.

Mother Nature’s wrath has rocked the state, with floods and whirling waters this week.

The council believes the pylons were uncovered, then detached from the mooring as a result of the recent east coast low that brought heavy rains and rough seas.

The remnants of the 1920s pier were moved to the council’s depot in case they washed out to sea or beachgoers tripped on them.

“It is always fun to see the reappearance of the pylons after a heavy storm or intense weather conditions, they are a lovely reminder of Coogee’s past,” Deputy Mayor Kym Chapple said.

A pier on Coogee beach has been dislodged from the sand. Picture: Randwick City Council

“They aren’t heritage-listed items but we do understand their local cultural importance and the affection that many residents hold for them as well.

“As a changing climate continues to impact our beaches we need a plan for how to respond to that. In the meantime, we’ll take good care of the pylons as we investigate how we can best acknowledge their unique historical significance.”

DELUGE EXPOSES HIDDEN TREASURES ON SYDNEY’S BEACHES

Tonnes of sand are being shovelled back onto Sydney’s beaches after the recent deluge washed away the coastline, exposing some hidden treasures from the city’s past.

The past week of heavy rainfall and dangerous winds that have devastated Sydney and parts of the NSW north coast have pushed massive piles of sand from the coastline onto the streets.

Clean up efforts were underway at Bondi Beach on Thursday morning where earth moving equipment was scooping up deep sand deposits on the promenade and placing it back on the beach.

Passer-bys watched as machinery arrived at the crack of dawn to remove sand from public footpaths.

Layers of sand have blanketed the main beachfront walkway at Bondi Beach. Picture: John Grainger

Bowls in the local skatepark at Maroubra were also blanketed in a thick layer of sand, rendering some of the equipment unusable.

Eager juvenile skaters Jake and Zac were keen to hit the concrete slopes and ride the ramps on Thursday morning, but arrived to find the entire park covered.

Jake and Zac were disappointed by what they found. Picture: John Grainger

But, the boys tackled the bowls on foot and created a new type of fun. Picture: John Grainger

Randwick City Council said all beaches were affected by unruly weather, but particularly Coogee and Maroubra.

“With Randwick Council staff and contractors, it should take a few days, weather permitting,” a council spokesman said.

“We wouldn’t be able to estimate an amount (of time it will take). Randwick Council outdoor staff have been using bobcats and excavators to remove sand from the promenade at Coogee and Maroubra beaches and relocating sand to the beach.”

Over at Coogee beach, old foundational pylons from the long-demolished Coogee Pier were spotted along the beach.

The last time the pylons popped up was in 2020. Picture: John Grainger

The old Coogee ‘Pleasure’ Pier was built in the 1920s. Picture John Grainger

Council workers try to clean up North Coogee after the East coast low. Picture: John Grainger

Council workers attempted to clean up the mess as concerns have been raised that the recent deluge could exacerbate coastal erosion.

“Coastal erosion in heavy storms will often reveal the pylons that remain from the Coogee Pier, which was built in July 1928 and stood until 1934 when it was demolished,” they said.

“They were last seen after a big storm in May 2020.”

On Monday, similar operations were being conducted at Maroubra Rd after strong winds blew “mountains of sand” from the beaches.

The piles measures about two feet deep, according to Sydney Branch Director Scott Muir in a Surf Life Saving Twitter post.

#WATCH // Footage this morning shows the clean up efforts at Maroubra Road in Sydney after strong winds blew mountains of sand in from the beaches. Scott Muir, Sydney Branch Director of Lifesaving said the road was covered in sand measuring 2 foot deep. #floods#maroubraroadpic.twitter.com/XjZbV7mtc6

— Surf Life Saving NSW (@slsnsw) July 4, 2022

Originally published as NSW floods: Sydney beaches show toll of Sydney’s wild weather