Shoalhaven Council rehabilitates coastal dunes to protect cultural heritage

Shoalhaven City Council is currently undertaking rehabilitation works at Callala Bay, Bendalong and Shoalhaven Heads on coastal dunes impacted by erosion aiming to provide a sand buffer and adequate short-term protection for Council assets, natural areas, and cultural heritage.

These important rehabilitation works will be completed as soon as practicable.

Coastal dune rehabilitation primarily involves a coastal management technique referred to as Nature Assisted Beach Enhancement (NABE), also called Beach Scraping.

NABE is the mechanical movement of sand from the lower part of the beach onto the higher part of the beach, or sand dune. This technique mimics the natural accumulation of sand following a beach erosion event. It has been planned in close consultation with the relevant State Government Agencies.

The use of NABE enables a quick-response mechanism to prevent any further damage to assets from ongoing storms that may occur after the works have been completed. The natural accumulation processes can take months, or even years to rebuild after a major storm event.

Planning and coordination of these projects was to address impacts on the site sustained from coastal erosion events over the past 12 months.

Works at Callala Bay, Bendalong and Shoalhaven Heads will only be undertaken when weather permits a safe and environmentally sound solution. Council is frequently monitoring forecasts for potential storm surge and ocean swell events, which may impact on the current works.

Council appointed contractors have established appropriate exclusion zones for public safety. The community are reminded to adhere to these controls. These projects are being supported by funding from NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) Coastal and Estuary Grants Program.

Ongoing assessment of hazards and impacts within Coastal environments will help plan the most appropriate risk management strategy into the future. 

Further information can be obtained from Council’s Coastal & Estuary Management Planning website.  

Image: Coastal Dune Rehabilitation at Bendalong