Four popular public spaces along the Bargara coastline have been identified as being at risk of erosion with community consultation on potential management options now underway.
A Shoreline Erosion Management Plan for the Bargara coastline was identified as a key action from Bundaberg Regional Council’s Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy.
A coastal engineering assessment has identified the four key sites under threat of erosion as Bargara Beach (between Everdell Street and the Turtle Park), the Turtle Park, Nielson Beach and Jayteens Park.
Bundaberg Regional Council Deputy Mayor Cr Bill Trevor said potential management opportunities had been identified at each site, including amenity and access improvements and coastal hazard protection.
“Potential management options have been assessed against a range of criteria including the level of protection it offers to public property, amenity, durability, impact on natural coastal processes and cost,” Cr Trevor said.
“As part of making our assessment, we also spoke to the community about what values these spaces offer and how they are used.
“Now that a draft plan has been developed, we would like to once again invite the community to comment.”
The four sites and proposed management options include:
Bargara Beach
This area is moderately stable and controlled by rocky outcrops.
However, public infrastructure is located in close proximity to the active beach system, and the vegetation width in this section is significantly narrowed.
Increased recreational use and uncontrolled beach access are likely causing loss of dune vegetation.
Recommended management option: Beach nourishment and dune stabilisation
Turtle Park
This area is located immediately north of the main groyne at Bargara Esplanade, which shelters south-easterly approaching waves. However, this area is exposed to north-easterly wave conditions.
The park is generally constrained to a narrow strip between the shoreline and the coastal pathway with a vegetated buffer directly in front of the park is less than 10 m.
Recommended management option: Low-impact sand management
Nielson Beach
This is an open sandy beach with potential erosion and shoreline recession vulnerability.
The wide foreshore accommodates both passive and active recreation. The surf lifesaving club is located on the foreshores and there is an existing seawall in front of the club.
Localised erosion has occurred in the north of this beach section and led to the loss of frontal dunes.
The vegetated buffer along this section is typically less than 10 m, and there are some exposures to the root systems of several mature trees.
Recommended management option: Low-impact sand management
Jayteens Park
Localised erosion has occurred immediately north of the groyne.
There is evidence of beach lowering, with the exposure of rocky outcrop
and the root systems of several mature trees.
Uncontrolled pedestrian movements have also exacerbated eroded scraps. This section is currently threatening land-based assets at the end of Lookout Drive.
The shared path is undermined, and temporary fencing has been erected for safety reasons.
Recommended management option: Sand nourishment and active monitoring
View the plan or attend a drop in session
The full draft Bargara Shoreline Erosion Management Plan is available online.
Have your say on the plan on Tuesday, 15 September, from 4pm to 7pm at the Surf Lifesaving Club Upstairs Meeting Room.
For more information, head to the project page.
as someone that has watched the destruction of beachfront and foreshore areas in the past, i will definitly attend this meeting, but will any submissions be really considered?.. or will the engineers have their way?