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Coastal Erosion
"Coastal erosion is the loss of land along the shoreline due to the natural removal of beach and dune material in response to changing wave and water conditions. Buildings and facilities located within the 'active' beach system, or areas subject to coastal erosion can be undermined and may even collapse.
Approximately 60 percent of the NSW open coastline is characterised by sandy beaches. These beaches are dynamic environments undergoing continual cycles of erosion and accretion in response to the action of tides, wind and waves. In many places, existing foreshore development has been built within the 'active' beach system and is at risk from coastal erosion." NSW State Emergency Services
The NSW Government has introduced several reforms to the way in which councils and landowners are required to manage coastal erosion. These changes identify preparatory actions landowners may be able to undertake to protect properties during a storm.
Pittwater Council does not currently have an adopted Coastal Zone Management Plan. A Coastal Zone Management Plan is a document that proposes actions to be implemented by Council, other public authorities and the private sector to address priority management issues in the coastal zone. These issues include managing risk to public safety, pressures on coastal ecosystems and community uses of the coastal zone. Councils in this position must complete a Coastal Erosion Emergency Action Subplan for identified 'hot spot' beaches.
Pittwater Council engaged WorleyParsons to prepare a Coastal Erosion Emergency Action Subplan (Subplan) for the two 'hot spot' beaches in the Pittwater Local Government Area: Bilgola Beach (Bilgola) and Basin Beach (Mona Vale). The Subplan outlines how Council can prepare for a coastal erosion emergency and explains the options available to beachfront property owners to provide a level of protection to their property. In addition to the Subplan Worley Parsons prepared a Reference Document to the Subplan which incorporates input from the community consultation process.
Updated: 03 May 2012