Coastal Management Program

Council owned/maintained boat ramp in Wyee Bay falling into disrepair.

Even though the rate paying public cannot access this boat ramp at the lakes edge behind the Jasmine Tourist Park from Ruttleys road at present, this will change when the planned paper road is constructed down the western boundary of the tourist park , to the public reserve at the boat ramp. It would be an idea for the Council to keep this ramp in accredited order for the future. I note the concrete ramp has slipped from good condition to Fair condition over the last 6 years.

Line lakes edge in Wyee Bay

Our prevailing winds in the south western end of Lake Macquarie are North Easterly thus the Lakes foreshore is being eroded rapidly especially with the occurrence of these coastal low we seem to be experiencing more regularly. Another meter of foreshore claimed by the lake in the past 3 weeks. I note the maintenance of this end of the Lake is far inferior when compared with Spears Point / Warners Bay or even Swansea. We do pay rates , with what I see as little return.

Include all lake foreshore areas into the strategy

The lake foreshore that is bounded by the Central Coast Council needs to be included in the overall Coastal Management Program. Currently there is no formal process that residents in the Central Coast Council LGA can follow to have severe foreshore erosion conditions addressed. To have any corrective action taken currently involves a disjointed and confusing process of contact with the Crown Lands Department, Central Coast Council and now Lake Macquarie Council with none taking responsibility. The foreshore erosion problems around Mannering Park have become so severe that immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of the protected casuarina trees and foreshore

Dredge Swansea channel deeper and wider and put a second channel from the end of pelican airstrip towards fishing point

Dredging of Swansea channel

Lake foreshore owners community consultations

Historically no government authority has bothered to provide assistance to the Mannering Park community to try and stop the ongoing foreshore erosion. Consequently those residents living along the foreshore have been required to pursue their own methods to stop the erosion. By walking the foreshore it is obvious that many previous owners have tried and failed, with the failed measures a stark reminder of their efforts. Most of the residents who live along the foreshore have been left with the burden of preventing erosion and therefore their efforts, regardless of how successful they are, are better than anything provided to date by government authorities. For this reason, what ever action is taken in the future to stop the erosion should be in direct consultation with those residents who are directly affected.

Benefit ~ Sand from dredging Swansea Channel could be transferred to Blacksmiths Beach for sand nourishment to replenish our eroded beach.

Idea ~ To see the installation of a permanent dredging solution for the safe navigation of Swansea Channel for all craft.

Time Frame ~ permanent Swansea Channel dredging needed asap, and the infrastructure for a sand transfer system to Blacksmiths Beach 3 years.

Remove the man made dunes that are causing sand encroachment on the public spaces at Redhead beach.

Idea The dunes to the south of the surf club did not exist in the past. They have been created by actions such as building retaining walls. This area should be returned to what is was 15 to 20 years ago and made available for public use. Perceived benefit The area is returned to its natural state prior and the area is available for use by the increasing number of people attending the beach. Time Frame Within two years

Idea ~ Create a Surf Amenity Management Plan, to identify, acknowledge, value & protect LMCC surf breaks. Manage the surf zone sand banks.

Benefit ~ by removing non indigenous vegetation & replacing it with natural grasses sand can move & create a dynamic beach environment.

Time Frame ~ within the content of this of this document & this new Coastal Management Program

Benefit ~ Protect the beach, dunes, property & infrastructure from erosion & inundation. Provides waves for surfing & encourages tourism.