Finalising design requirements for Wamberal Beach terminal protection structures

The Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection Structure Engineering Design Requirements, which outlines minimum engineering specifications and details for coastal erosion protection works in the Wamberal embayment, has been finalised and adopted following a review of 247 formal submissions received during recent community consultation on the draft document.

Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, Alice Howe, said that this decision is a science-based outcome responding to independent evidence and designed to give residents the ability to protect their property whilst maintaining public amenity and enjoyment of the beach.

“These minimum engineering requirements support a whole-of-embayment solution based on extensive technical studies and input from the community. The solution maximises both the amenity of the public beach and provides clear guidance to landowners on their responsibilities,” Dr Howe said.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said that community consultation has been an integral part of the process throughout the various stages of expert investigations and studies to identify long-term solutions to coastal erosion at Wamberal.

“I acknowledge that there are many in the community that remain opposed to a terminal protection structure as an option, and it was a consistent theme raised throughout all engagement phases,” Hart said.

“However, it is important to note that the Coastal Zone Management Study 2015 , which informed the adopted Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan 2017, considered all feasible management options to address current and future coastal risks to the environmental planning and management of the area – including mass sand nourishment, artificial reefs and planned retreat,” he added.

“There have been multiple opportunities for consultation over the various stages of this multi-year project, with community feedback playing a tangible role in finalising the minimal engineering design requirements.”

The adopted Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection Structure Engineering Design Requirements will now be used in conjunction with relevant NSW legislation and policy to assess future development applications.