Background

The Eurobodalla Shire Council has informed us that the long-term solutions to provide protection against coastal erosion at Long Beach is a sloped rock revetment. We have again asked council to consult with the community during the next phase to ensure that community views are considered prior to finalising the detailed design.

LBCA Feedback to council on 9 July 2024

The Long Beach Community Association represents a diverse mix of community members with differing views and therefore we will not be backing any one particular option for the coastal protection works. However, we would like to provide comments/feedback on community expectations and the outcomes the protection works should aim to achieve. These include:

• ensuring long-term effective protection of Bay Road infrastructure including the road and adjacent sewer mains

• protecting the beach environment and helping the sand to return 

• preserving the ability to walk and enjoy the full stretch of the beach at all but the highest tides

• ensuring ease of pedestrian access to the beach 

• creating something that is aesthetically pleasing, yet functional, and preserves the natural look and feel of the beach

• protecting the Norfolk pines on the eastern end of Bay Road, and 

• aligning seamlessly with the adjacent existing narrow rock revetment which has effectively protected part of the Bay Road foreshore for many years. 

In addition, planning for the Long Beach foreshore protection works should give consideration to broader community needs in terms of foreshore access, and where they might be located along Bay Road, including:

• options for reinstating informal beach access for the launching of small watercraft 

• options for introducing access to the beach for community members with mobility issues

We also note that there is an additional community-developed solution being put forward to Eurobodalla Shire Council. It is a combination of Option 2 (rock wall) and Option 3 (geotextile bags). We encourage the Executive, Project Managers and the designers to consider the proposal as part of the concept design phase. 

We would also like to request that the Long Beach Community Association continue to be included and consulted going forward. In particular, once the preferred option has been identified, we would appreciate the opportunity to be involved in the conceptual design phase of the preferred option. This will ensure that community views are considered prior to finalising the detailed design.