Before we forget about the sandbagging at Surfside

The Editor

A few days or was it weeks ago our Council issued, via media release, and invitation for the shires residents and ratepayers to have a say about the future of the shires coastline

The invitation indicated where those interested could talk to Council staff, and perhaps others, on a one on one situation to discuss Council’s draft plans or the look of development of the Shire’s Coastlines. There is nothing new about development planning for the coast in the shire, it’s been occurring for a long time as the State Government has required, for many reasons including potential future liability.

Some of the areas pro coastal development activists who’ve been advocating that engineering solutions should be considered in future development planning in the Batemans Bay and Surfside area have been active as well. In relation to Surfside..... around 18 or so years ago in a storm event some of the beach area at the South Western end of Myamba Parade was significantly affected. Sand bagging was used to assist in reducing the impact on the beach erosion. Laid the wrong way the bags were quickly swept away however it is important to remember that they were placed at the direction of the Shire Engineer and were overseen by the Technical Services manager at the time for location and method. Senior Council staff also indicated at that time a rock wall might be necessary for future private asset protection works. Council reports, minutes and questions On Notice of the time should show all that, as well as what was in the local papers, reported by the local media and Council reporters. The reality is engineering solutions had been discussed and supported by council staff at that time.

Allan Brown

#Opinion