Central Coast Council has successfully secured NSW Government funding to help tackle the issue of public safety and beach erosion at Ocean and Umina Beaches.

As part of the Gosford Beaches Coastal Zone Management Plan, the funding, to be matched by Council, will ensure nearly $500,000 is put towards addressing the risks of erosion.

Central Coast Council Director, Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Mike Dowling, said that the rate of erosion was drastically exacerbated in April 2015 during a significant coastal storm.

“Council has a short-term strategy in place to protect The Esplanade, as a result of the storm in April 2015,” he said.

“This includes the ongoing beach monitoring program, a temporary wall covering over 100m of beach and an ongoing beach scraping program that brings available sand further up the beach.

“This new funding will enable us to identify a long-term protective option for The Esplanade and the vital infrastructure located in it - including water and drainage systems and electricity and telecommunications services.

“It will also investigate the feasibility of beach nourishment by understanding the complex sediment transport system within Broken Bay.”

The funding received will allow the first two phases of a larger project to go ahead, this includes an analysis of: the coastal processes and sediment dynamics for Broken Bay; options to improve beach access and amenities; the risks associated with vertical erosion scarps and the development of a long term solution for protecting The Esplanade.

Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, welcomed the funding as it strengthened Council’s commitment to improving environmental and community assets and providing a safe environment for the community.

“This funding will provide for the development of concept designs to address public safety due to steep erosion escarpments, beach and windblown dune erosion, dune ecology and general amenity at Ocean and Umina Beaches,” she said.

“The design will consider improved pedestrian access to the beach and The Esplanade — helping ensure our community can stay safely connected to their local environment.

“This type of funding is important for Council, as it allows us to research the local environment and the way it works, and then design the best possible outcomes for everyone.”

This project was part funded by the Office of Environment & Heritage — Coastal and Estuary Grants Program

ENDS

Media Contact:  Amanda Dollman - 0419 631 912

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