Community united on need to protect Southern Beaches

More than 2,200 people have had their say on how City of Newcastle should respond to threats to the coastline between Bar Beach and Merewether, demonstrating strong community interest in the future of the Southern Beaches. 

A consultation report, released today, outlines feedback on a range of proposed management options including mass sand nourishment, protection structures like seawalls and managed retreat.

The results show that while the community holds diverse opinions on how risks such as erosion and sea level rise should be managed, there is clear recognition of the challenges facing this stretch of coastline and broad agreement that action is needed.

No single management option attracted overwhelming support.

However, City of Newcastle’s Liveable Cities Strategic Advisory Committee Chair Cr Joel Pringle said it was encouraging the consultation gave the participants an opportunity to hear and understand the seriousness of the risks and the complexity of responding to them.

“Newcastle is known for its sandy beaches, world-renowned surf breaks and magnificent coastline,” Cr Pringle said.

“Our community values these places deeply and the consultation shows they recognise impacts that climate change is already having on our coastline, and that this will intensify into the future.

“The feedback shows that managing coastal risk isn’t simple. Especially where significant interventions might be required.

“It involves balancing community values and expectations with technical feasibility, environmental responsibility, economic sustainability and broader social impacts for current and future generations. And also, as this piece of work does, bringing local residents on the journey of understanding with us.”

City of Newcastle is developing a long-term Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the area between Nobbys Headland and Glenrock Lagoon, collectively known as the Southern Beaches.

As part of this process, community members were asked to consider potential management options for the area between Bar Beach and Merewether, which is considered at most immediate risk from coastal erosion and other coastal hazards.

Engagement was strong across Newcastle, with more than 800 people participating in nine in-person consultation events.

Online engagement included around 430 responses to an online poll and almost 1000 responses to the online survey, along with seven detailed submissions from key stakeholders and community members.

The feedback highlighted a wide spectrum of perspectives. Mass sand nourishment was the least favoured option overall, with participants raising concerns about cost, effectiveness, environmental impacts, longevity and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Protection structures such as seawalls were supported by some respondents for their perceived ability to retain existing assets, access and amenity.

Where managed retreat was supported, it was often promoted as a more sustainable, adaptive and environmentally responsible long‑term response to coastal hazards, particularly in the context of a changing climate.

City of Newcastle Executive Manager Environment & Sustainability Marnie Kikken said the consultation reinforced there is no single management option that will meet all expectations. 

“This consultation has shown that while there is strong alignment around the need to protect our coastline, people prioritise different options to do so,” Ms Kikken said.

“Comments reflected a wide range of sometimes competing views about infrastructure retention, environmental protection, traffic impacts, governance, cost, and the role of expert advice versus community input.

“That diversity of views is an important part of community engagement and we’re pleased to see that most participants are highly aware of the complex issues facing our Southern Beaches.

“Our role is to carefully consider all of this feedback alongside rigorous technical, environmental and economic assessments, as well as the State Government requirements we must meet, to ensure decisions are responsible, defensible and in the best long-term interests of the whole community.”

City of Newcastle will continue working through the feedback in developing the Southern Beaches Coastal Management Program..

Visit City of Newcastle’s Have Your Say page to find out more and read the detailed consultation report.