Blacksmiths Beach Surf Assessment

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Consultation has concluded

We've undertaken a surf amenity assessment to get some answers for what is happening at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach. You can now view the Surf Amenity Assessment below. An online workshop to discuss the Assessment was held in November, a copy of this presentation is available in the documents library.

The natural movement of the waves is transporting sand and sediment, and this is changing the behaviour of the surf, wave size and surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach.


We're working with consultants to perform a review and analysis of long-term aerial imagery of Blacksmiths Beach, stretching 78 years from 1941 to present day. This imagery will demonstrate long-term trends and help us understand the impacts to surf amenity we are experiencing now.

The main purpose of this image analysis is to :

  • quantify long-term changes to shoreline position, such as beach rotation
  • identify potential sediment transport pathways
  • identify changes to the Swansea Channel training walls
  • understand the likely influence of the above processes on surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach

A temporary camera has also been installed to capture beach usage statistics and morphological changes at Blacksmiths Beach. It takes hourly images during daylight hours to provide valuable information about sediment transport processes.

The outcome of this study will influence whether a permanent management plan for beach nourishment will be included in the Coastal Management Plan.

We've undertaken a surf amenity assessment to get some answers for what is happening at the southern end of Blacksmiths Beach. You can now view the Surf Amenity Assessment below. An online workshop to discuss the Assessment was held in November, a copy of this presentation is available in the documents library.

The natural movement of the waves is transporting sand and sediment, and this is changing the behaviour of the surf, wave size and surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach.


We're working with consultants to perform a review and analysis of long-term aerial imagery of Blacksmiths Beach, stretching 78 years from 1941 to present day. This imagery will demonstrate long-term trends and help us understand the impacts to surf amenity we are experiencing now.

The main purpose of this image analysis is to :

  • quantify long-term changes to shoreline position, such as beach rotation
  • identify potential sediment transport pathways
  • identify changes to the Swansea Channel training walls
  • understand the likely influence of the above processes on surfing amenity at Blacksmiths Beach

A temporary camera has also been installed to capture beach usage statistics and morphological changes at Blacksmiths Beach. It takes hourly images during daylight hours to provide valuable information about sediment transport processes.

The outcome of this study will influence whether a permanent management plan for beach nourishment will be included in the Coastal Management Plan.

Consultation has concluded

If you have a question about the surf amenity or long-term changes along Blacksmiths Beach, please ask our project team.

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    The aerial photos in the assessment report clearly show the large increase in vegetation along the dunal system, particularly south of the Blacksmiths surf club. This vegetation has changed the dunal system from dynamic to static. There is no longer the natural movement of sand back and forth between the dunes, the beach and surf zone. Council has stated it has a strategy to remove bitou bush from coastal zones. A large portion of the vegetation between the surf club and breakwall at Blacksmiths, is bitou bush. When is Council going to get serious about not only removing the biotu bush, but as a trial, removing the rest of the vegetation back to the treeline, to allow dune reshaping and natural processes to remediate that section of beach. I am a member of the Bring Back Blacksmiths group. We have provided Council previously with detailed information on the successful project, doing exactly that, undertaken by Wollongong City Council at Woonona beach. With thanks.

    Thomson asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Thomson,

    Thanks for your interest in this project. We are currently planning a virtual forum to discuss the findings of the Surf Amenity Assessment for interested community members and groups.  A date for this is currently being finalised and will be confirmed shortly. 

    With regards to Bitou Bush removal, this is a management approach that is known to provide multiple benefits to beach environments.  One of the topics that will be discussed at the forum will be approaches to Bitou Bush management in the Southern corner of the beach, including ways for interested community members or groups to get involved in future Bitou control activities.  

    Regards,

    Luke


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    Nothing will change if you do not listen to the people who know the beach not the groups appointed by other groups that know nothing of the ocean and the pass conditions please don’t make the same mistakes learn form the previous and the hear what the people ( save blacksmith beach ) are suggesting they are the true specialists. Thank you and good luck ! From Drinky

    kmarples asked over 4 years ago

    Hi Dwayne,

    Thankyou for your question and concerns, we invite participation from any group or individual with a vested interest in this project and want to hear what everyone has to say. If you wish to be involved please send an email with your contact details to [email protected] and I will add you to our stakeholder contact list.

    Kind Regards,

    Alexander Marshall

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    Great to see this taking place! Very exciting to think one day we might have some quality waves at Blacksmiths. I will be following with interest.. Do you have an estimated time line for study?

    mr79 asked over 4 years ago

    Thankyou for your question. The study timeline from the camera installation date is 6 months, which brings us to April, we will then receive the final report from UNSW WRL and present this to the community before the end of financial year.

    Kind Regards,

    Alexander Marshall