The Beagle Editor,
Your readers might be interested in the following correspondence between Council and a group of property owners and residents of Mossy Point/Tomakin. Dear Mayor Hatcher and Councillors,
Congratulations on your new positions within the Eurobodalla Shire Council.
I am part of a group of property owners and residents of Mossy Point/Tomakin that have started an online petition for action by Council and or State Government agencies to immediately assist in the review and initiation of urgent remediation works to the Tomago River Sand spit/azimuth. The petition link is attached, and we have support from key Commercial operations in and around the River including Tomakin Club.
We understand Council have an existing Environmental Management Plan specific to Tomago River, that is not being acted upon, is now not relevant or suitable regarding the current condition of the sand spit deterioration.
We request acknowledgment of this email and petition and request your immediate attention to the issue which if left unattended will result in substantial negative affective to the safe use of the river by locals and thousands of tourists every year.
On and behalf of the Petition for Saving Tomago River NSW.
Peter Brogan
Resident, Property Owner and rate payer
If you are one of the thousands' of people that enjoy using the Tomakin / Mossy Point waterway, please read on and sign this petition to help keep this waterway in its current state before it is changed forever! We need your support.
My extended family and I are lifelong residents of Moruya and Mossy Point dating back to the 1800's and currently own three properties between us that front the river. We have a strong history with the Tomaga River and have watched the condition of the sand spit/azimuth that separates the River from Tomakin Bay (beach) deteriorate over the years.
We have requested intervention on several occasions over the last 20 plus years from Council.
All efforts to date have been subpar and unsuccessful, to the point of potentially adding to the deterioration that the intervention was aimed at stopping/slowing.
Current Situation:
As you can see from current photo(taken January 2022), the condition on the Tomaga River bank is in very poor condition. Erosion is substantial, to the point that safety and welfare of residents/visitors is compromised, and Maritime signage has been undermined. The bank is extremely close to breaking through and the river will be changed forever.
Impacts:
The obvious and minor concerns are safety/integrity of the walkways, Maritime signage, boat ramp structure. The major issue is the complete structural break down of the sand spit itself with the Tomakin Bay (beach) breaking through to the Tomaga River at the Eastern Point (see site plan). This catastrophic failure would compromise the WHOLE Tomaga River (both eastern and western ends) and destroy the water way which thousands of people enjoy every year.
The impacts would include but not be limited to:
Environmental:
Animal and bird sanctuary destroyed/damaged.
Major impacts to existing water way, tidal changes.
Social:
Safety of the River for water sports/swimming.
Compromised swimming water sports access.
Economic:
One of the safest East facing river mouth entries would be destroyed to boating and water sports. A major tourist attraction.
Boating/water sport access 100% compromised.
Commercial impact to local business supporting the Boating/sailing community. Think kayak and SUP hire, bait and tackle shops, local cafes etc.
Impact on Tourism in general.
Petition:
We are looking for like minded individuals to assist in the petition to have Eurobodalla Council rectify the issue IMMEDIATELY.
The petition will be submitted to the Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire Council and the State Member for the area, (currently Mr Andrew Constance).
Our goal is the the State Government and Local Government to work in conjunction to rectify the issue asap before it becomes too late.
THANK YOU!
