Adapting Marks Point and Belmont South

This consultation has concluded. 

• What's been happening with the Marks Point Belmont South Foreshore Management Plan?

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  With the end of the year fast approaching, it’s a good time to look back on what’s been happening behind the scenes this year to develop the draft Foreshore Management Plan for Marks Point and Belmont South.

  The Council and Community Working Group have continued to collaborate to build on the work completed for the Marks Point Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan. Throughout the year, the Group has met around ten times to progress investigations into issues and consider options to assist Council and the community to protect and manage our valuable foreshore areas.

  When completed, the Foreshore Management Plan will provide guidance on how to implement foreshore protection works on public and private land. The Plan will help us to protect the foreshore from erosion in the short to medium term, without affecting the ability to adapt to permanent inundation over time or creating unacceptable impacts.

  It aims to address current and emerging issues impacting on the lake foreshore and residents and visitors to the area. Key issues identified by Council and the community include foreshore erosion and tidal inundation, public safety and amenity and foreshore access. The plan also incorporates long-term measures to protect communities against projected sea level rise.

  It’s a complicated task and we would like to thank and acknowledge the commitment from the Group’s volunteers and local residents in building strong foundations for the development of the draft Plan.

  Our current thinking is that the draft Management Plan will consist of four parts:

  • Part A: Why we need a Foreshore Management Plan for Marks Point and Belmont South
  • Part B: How the Plan was prepared
  • Part C: Key elements of the Plan
  • Part D: Implementing the Foreshore Management Plan

  In the coming months, the Group members will be reviewing draft foreshore concept designs and clarifying approval pathways for public and private works. We look forward to presenting the draft Plan for your review and feedback early next year. Stay tuned!

  If you would like ask the Council and Community Working Group a question or would like any further information, visit shape.lakemac.com.au/future-flood-planning or call Council on 49210333.

  Wishing you a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year.

  Kind regards,

  The Project Team

• Citizen Science and Foreshore Inundation Project - Marks Point Tidal Valves Case Study

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  A case study on tidal valves in Marks Point has been released by Local Government NSW for the Citizen Science and Foreshore Inundation Project.

  Marks Point is a low-lying area that experiences frequent tidal inundation from Lake Macquarie. Local tidal inundation is projected to increase as sea levels rise due to climate change. As part of the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan, the community proposed to address this risk by using tidal flaps (or valves) on stormwater outlets to prevent the ingress of lake water into the stormwater system.

  
  

  

  In June 2016, with financial assistance from the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust (Local Government NSW / NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Building Resilience to Climate Change program), Council installed tidal flaps on two stormwater outlets at Marks Point to trial their effectiveness under local conditions. From June to December 2016, the community monitored the performance of the flaps during high tides and rainfall events.

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  While the flaps were successful at preventing lake inundation during high tides, they caused the stormwater system to backup during rainfall events resulting in localised flooding. The trial has identified further design considerations including head pressure within the stormwater system.

  Want to know more? Take a look at the case study for further information.

  

  

  
  

• Great turnout to onsite community meeting - Emily Street Foreshore Protection pilot

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  Thank you to the community members who were able to attend the onsite meeting on Thursday 27 July 2018 to discuss the draft designs for the Emily Street foreshore protection works. The following information is a summary of the meeting discussion and information:

  Council constructed demonstration foreshore protection works at the end of Emily Street in October 2015. Council has secured grant funding to undertake another demonstration project extending east of the existing works. The works will address current erosion and protect the foreshore in accordance with the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan, while supporting ecological values.

  The draft designs take into account community comments and concerns as follows:

  • We heard your concerns about the height of the existing Emily Street demonstration project. For this project, it is proposed to construct the next stage of the demonstration works at the reduced height of 0.75m AHD compared to 1.25m AHD for the existing works.

  • We heard that the community want access to the Lake for recreation. The draft designs show staggered sandstone rocks along the foreshore with sandy, ramped access points in between. These will be wide enough to move small watercraft in and out of the Lake, while also allowing stormwater to drain to the Lake. The design should also assist seaweed wrack to breakdown.

  • We heard that the existing Emily Street foreshore works are too big and the garden beds are untidy. It is proposed to remove some of the garden beds from the existing Emily Street foreshore protection works. Rocks will be reused in the new works. However, the flat rocks around the street sign at the end of Village Bay Close will be retained as vehicle barriers. You told us that the rocks are preferable to bollards and that, because they are flat, they make great seats.

  • We heard that you do not want cobblestone. We will not use cobblestone on the foreshore for this project and some of the existing cobblestone will be reused on site as drainage behind the sandstone.

  • We heard that you prefer flat rocks because they reduce trip hazards, provide places to sit, and are more attractive. The proposed works will avoid rocks that protrude above the new 0.75m ground level of the foreshore. Preference will be given to the use of flat rocks.

  • We heard that you prefer lower plant species. It is proposed to trial the use of native saltmarsh species for landscaping. These species are low lying, so they will not block lake views, but will help to stabilise the banks and provide intertidal habitat. This includes replanting the existing works with saltmarsh species.

  Council staff appreciate the community input received for the designs. The designs will now be finalised and construction of the works is scheduled for the 2018-2019 financial year, subject to necessary approvals and permits.

  As mentioned during the onsite meeting, we welcome your cooperation in monitoring the performance of the works when constructed. Please provide any photos and / or feedback to [email protected].

  
  

  
  

• Foreshore Assessment of Shoreline Change and the Impact of Waves on Lake Macquarie

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  The Foreshore Assessment of Shoreline Change and the Impact of Waves on Lake Macquarie study presents an assessment of the recession, and run-up and overtopping hazard at four estuarine foreshore localities across Lake Macquarie, with Marks Point/Belmont South forming the primary study location.

  The study also provides a discussion on the geomorphology and coastal processes at each location. The recession hazard has been assessed at a first pass level by applying a slight variation of Lake Macquarie Council’s ‘eShorance’ methodology for a range of sea level scenarios, with this output in the form recession hazard maps.

  A necessary initial step in preparing adaptation plans is determining the potential extent or severity of the hazards which will change the nature of the Lake’s fringes. The recent floodplain management process of the Lake Macquarie waterway (WMA Water, 2012a, WMA Water, 2012b) derived the design depths and extents of extreme flooding within Lake Macquarie. However, changes around the foreshores are not limited to extreme flood levels. Other processes which require further consideration are:

  • enhanced foreshore flooding due to the additional impact of wind waves resulting in run-up and overtopping of the foreshore above the inundation water level. Some limited analysis of run-up is available in (WMA Water, 2012b), but more detail is necessary at the local scale to enable effective planning; and
  • the response (typically recession) of the unconsolidated foreshore to sea level rise.

  The aim of the present study was to develop a methodology for analysing these hazards then demonstrate its application to the Belmont South Marks Point Local Adaptation Plan.

  
  

  Appendix C of the report presents an Overtopping Design Study for Marks Point and Belmont South Shores in which overtopping rates for Marks Point to Belmont South shorelines (i.e. the primary study site) have been estimated for range scenarios to determine the ideal crest elevation for three typical shoreline protection designs used on Lake Macquarie’s foreshore.

  
  

  If you would like more information on the report or how it relates to the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan please contact the project team at [email protected] or through "who's listening" in the right navigation panel.

  
  

• Surveying works along Swan Bay foreshore

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  The Swan Bay foreshore is scattered with a range of seawall type structures to protect the foreshore from erosion and other environmental impacts. Over time, some of these seawalls have begun to deteriorate and are now failing to provide the foreshore protection they were designed to do.

  As part of our plans to better manage the foreshore area in Marks Point and ensure it is adapted to sea level rise, we are developing adaptive management plans to guide the replacement of failing existing sea walls. This guide will include a set of construction drawings to be used by Council and homeowners when completing shoreline protection works in the future.

  From late May, you may notice Council surveyors in the foreshore area near Swan Bay. Our surveyors will be in the area for three to four weeks measuring sections and setbacks along the foreshore to help us develop the construction drawings.

• Turning opposition into collaboration

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  Lake Macquarie City Council received the highest planning accolade last night, with its pioneering approach to managing future sea level rise recognised with a 2017 PIA National Awards for Planning Excellence.

  Council’s Manager Integrated Planning, Sharon Pope said the award-winning process saw Council collaborate with local residents over three years to produce a long-term strategy and 10-year Action Plan to help manage the effects of future sea level rise on their communities.

  “We are now working alongside local residents and key stakeholders to implement the adaptation plan. Council recently passed changes to development controls, including building heights, filling and adaptable housing,” Ms Pope said.

  “We also completed foreshore protection works in Village Bay Close that allowed for future lake level rises, and have completed a model of the drainage system in the area, so we can assess what would occur if we alter drains or fill land in different locations.”

  The Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan is a leading model for climate change adaptation and is included as one of several ‘best practice’ case studies in the Federal Government’s online coastal planning guide, CoastAdapt.

  “The plan allows people to live in and enjoy these areas, even as sea and lake levels continue to rise. Council is currently working with residents of Pelican and Blacksmiths to develop a similar plan, and over the coming years Council will continue to develop plans to help manage sea level rise in all low-lying lakeside communities of Lake Macquarie City.”

• Council adopts the Marks Point and Belmont South Precinct Area Plan

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  Council recently resolved to adopt the Marks Point and Belmont South Precinct Area Plan as part of the Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2014.The new Precinct Area Plan will be located in Part 12 of the DCP and will be effective and available on Council's website from Friday 14 April 2017.

  The purpose of the new Precinct Area Plan is to help implement the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan. The Precinct Area Plan provides guidance that should be taken into account when preparing a Development Application in the Marks Point and Belmont South adaptation planning area.

  The draft Precinct Area Plan was exhibited to the public for six weeks from 3 December 2016 to 16 January 2017. Changes were made following exhibition to make the Plan easier to understand. Refer to page 180 of the Council report for an outline of the changes made following exhibition.

• Video - New flood modelling to help guide planning and adaptation

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  Flood modelling is one tool Council, the community and other stakeholders can use to plan for low-lying places subject to flooding, ineffective drainage and sea level rise over time.

  Flood modelling can be used to simulate the benefits and impacts of different flood mitigation and adaptation options on the community and the environment, such as filling land, raising the floor levels of houses and designing drains differently.

  In March 2017 community representatives from the former Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan working group and the current Pelican and Blacksmiths Local Adaptation Planning working group were invited to attend a presentation on flood modelling recently undertaken for Council.

  Council will use this modelling to help guide planning and local adaptation activities.

  A video of this presentation is now available online:

  
  

• Draft Development Control Plan on public exhibition

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  The draft Lake Macquarie Development Control Plan 2014 is available for public comment. The Development Control Plan provides guidance and detailed requirements for the preparation of Development Applications. The proposed revisions to the control plan will help to implement the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan.

  The draft plan is on public exhibition from Saturday 3 December 2016 until Monday 16 January 2017. A summary of the proposed changes to the control plan and more information on how to make a submission is available on Council’s website during exhibition period.

• Implementing the Plan: A review of land use planning and development controls

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  Council staff are progressing with a review of actions identified in the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan, adopted earlier in 2016. Community involvement continues to be central focus for the team as they begin to implement the plan developed in collaborative with local residents. The first tasks will be to review the actions related to land use planning and development controls, including controls around building heights, setbacks, filling of land prone to sea level rise and adaptable housing. CLICK HERE for an update on the action plan review.
  

  Residents and interested community members are invited to an Update and Discussion on Thursday 18 August from 6pm at the Marks Point Public School Hall, Findon Street.
  

  Find out more about the Local Adaption Plan for Marks Point and Belmont and register for the Update and Discussion on our project page