Rodney Stevens
Brooms Head residents battling a constant build-up of sand in gutters on their homes and roads will soon see improvements with Clarence Valley Council working to implement strategies to combat the erosion as part of its Coastline and Estuaries Coastal Management Program.
Ocean Road, Brooms Head resident Jan Brown contacted council about being inundated by sand just a day after they had their property professionally cleaned a situation they say has been exacerbated by recent strong winds.
“Today we had to wash our property and cars again…just from that we now have a build-up of water in the gutter that will not get away due to the sand filled gutters along Ocean Road outside properties across the road from the serious erosion at the northern end of the reserve,” Mrs Brown said.
“As sand is also over the road…every time a car drives along the road we have further sand in the air from the road coming into our houses.”
Mrs Brown said the erosion at the northern end of the reserve was getting worse and urgent action is needed to protect Brooms Head as the sand dunes won’t come back once they’re blown away.
“The northern end of the reserve should be closed off to campers, a wind break out up in the reserve to stop the sand and we need vegetation,” Mrs Brown said.
“Sandon Village had huge erosion but, in this case, NPWS got in immediately and put large sandbags and planting, also making sure campers only had access to the beach via walkways, unlike Brooms Head.
“They now have sand and protected their area.”
Four days after contacting council, Mrs Brown was advised by Acting General Manager Jamie Fleeting that council understood there were two issues affecting Brooms Head, firstly windblown sand from the beach at the northern end of the reserve impacting residents and the use of the reserve, and secondly the ongoing beach erosion and recession at the northern end of the reserve.
“Clarence Valley Council’s Senior Coast and Estuary Officer is working closely with our Open Spaces team to manage the windblown sand issue,” Mr Fleeting said.
“The on-ground works (including a combination of sand trap/barrier fencing and a small area of dune revegetation) is scheduled to be undertaken by the Open Spaces team within the next 6 weeks.
“A design, technical specification and environmental assessment of coastal protection works to remedy the erosion at the northern end of Brooms Head Reserve has been prepared.
“The works include the extension of the existing rock revetment along the beach, creation of a pocket beach, an end control structure and rock revetment along the southern Lake Cakora entrance foreshore to the bridge.”
Mr Fleeting said the four-stage Clarence Valley Coastline and Estuaries Coastal Management Program was currently being prepared by a consultant and beach erosion at Brooms Head had been identified as a key threat in a report on the issue that will be considered at council’s November meeting.
“To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed works and assess potential impacts on Ocean St properties, numerical and physical modelling of the works is proposed,” Mr Fleeting said.
“The consultant for this process is expected to begin within the next few months and the modelling engagement is expected to take approximately 30 weeks.
“Following modelling there will be final design of the works.”