Shoalhaven Community beach access improved at coastal erosion sites

The Shoalhaven beachgoing community is benefiting from improved access at a number of sites thanks to a program of repairing footpaths, stairs and jetties damaged due to coastal erosion.

Following natural disasters in 2022, six coastal sites were earmarked for rehabilitation works thanks to state and federal government natural disaster funding. 

Beorn Hulme, Natural Disasters Project Manager, said repairs were almost complete on the 38 major landslips which devastated the Kangaroo Valley and surrounds, with attention now turning to both local roads and coastal sites damaged by consecutive natural disasters.

Hulme shared “Last year was spent repairing the many landslips which destroyed roads and cut off communities across the region.

“Our focus is now on beach access infrastructure to enhance public safety and the environment.”

Dr Michael Roberts, Manager Environmental Services, said Council’s Coastal Management Unit was halfway through the program with three sites fully rehabilitated. Completed sites include:

• Cudmirrah Beach access path at Collier Drive – works completed on stairs and pathway following scouring (erosion at base of structure) and eroding dunes at the end point of the path. 

• Cunjurong Point Beach access stairs at Ottawa Street – works completed to replace eroded timber stairs over steep coastal bluff with fibreglass reinforced polymer (FRP) replacement stairway. New footings will mitigate the impacts of future erosion.

• Berrara Beach access stairs at Berrara Road – works completed to replace eroded timber stairs where the embankment was washed away and replacement of the Conjola National Park sign.

Sites to be completed in 2024 include:

• Currarong Beach access path at Warrain Crescent – works will soon begin to improve accessibility on two paths. Track 1 will see construction of a new FRP staircase to replace the existing timber ramp. Track 2 will see the extension and renewal of timber components for the existing staircase. Works are due for completion by June 2024.

• Island Point Road Jetty repair, St Georges Basin – the structure and decking of the jetty was severely damaged and is closed to the public. Tender preparation for the project has commenced and works are expected to begin later this year.

• The Basin Road Jetty repair, St Georges Basin – the structure and decking of the jetty was severely damaged and is closed to the public. Tender preparation for the project has commenced and works are expected to begin later this year.

For the latest updates on natural disaster reconstruction works head to Council’s website.

Image. Cunjurong Point. Credit: Shoalhaven Council