Council Acts On Super Storm Erosion

By Marcus Braid on August 11, 2015 in News

Randwick City Council has commenced rock stabilisation works to the Clovelly Headland following significant erosion caused by the April super storms.

The move comes as Greens Councillor Murray Matson warned locals to expect increasingly erratic climatic conditions.

“The Greens have been warning that man-made climate change is real,” he said. “We can expect more erratic climatic conditions, such as high tides and back-ups of storm water.

“I think we’re going to have a problem and as a nation we should be confronting this, because it’s going to be a problem confronting all coastal communities.

“Council did put clauses into its latest Local and Environmental Plan, which was approved in 2012 to protect against sea level rises. I’m wondering if that was adequate.”

The works at Clovelly Headland, expected to take up to eight weeks, involve installing sandstone boulders along the headland towards Shark Point to stabilise the land and reduce erosion.

Randwick Mayor Ted Seng said the works are vital for coastal protection and should be completed by spring.

“We are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of Sydney and as a responsible Council it is essential that we protect this picturesque coastline,” he said.

“The April storms caused some damage in this area and fast-tracked the need to complete this work.

“The work will include some excavation, installation of natural sandstone boulders and minor landscaping works.

“Thankfully, it will be completed well before the summer season, reducing the impact on our residents and visitors.”

The project is due to be completed some time in August, depending on the weather.

Council has advised that throughout the course of the works, noise, erosion and dust controls will be used to mitigate any adverse impacts on the surrounding environment and community. Shark Point – a local fishing and dive spot – will not be accessible during this time.

When asked if he was concerned about the works at Clovelly, Cr Matson stressed that he was more concerned with works approved for Coogee Beach.

“We are putting new structures under the promenade there,” he said.

“To the south of it, I am a little bit concerned with the tides now that we are getting the warnings of increased sea level rises. I think that could be a problem.

“Council has proposed it and from what I understand, the Joint Regional Planning Panel has approved. I think before we actually make the decision as a Council to proceed with the new construction, I would like us to have another look at this issue.”

Cr Matson said there had been a recent build-up of sea sand against the walls along Coogee Beach.

“There were some recent heavy tides; probably the same tides that resulted in the erosion at Clovelly,” he said.

“One of the metal doors of one of the storage areas was torn off, I’m told. I would like Council to have another look at that before we proceed with construction, because we might have a problem.”