Enter sand plan as Council moves to improve Redhead dunes

Sand dunes closest to Redhead Surf Life Saving Club would be reshaped, protective fencing installed and native flora planted under a draft Redhead Dune Management Plan out for public feedback.

Lake Macquarie City Council has joined forces with world-leading University of NSW Water Research Laboratory researchers to create the draft plan, aiming to prevent further displacement of sand at the city’s most popular beach.

Manager Environmental Systems Brendan Callander said pending public feedback and subsequent detailed design, work could begin as soon as June.

“We’ve done work previously to relocate sand and stabilise the dune, but this is a more significant undertaking,” he said.

“We’re proposing to use earthmoving equipment to reshape and stabilise the dune, making it more resilient to the harsh coastal conditions.”

In recent months, lack of dune vegetation and onshore winds have pushed tonnes of sand into the southern end of the car park and partly buried the main shower station near the clubhouse.

Mr Callander said gradual planting of the hind dune closest to the car park, along the crest of the dune and down the seaward slope would help reduce sand movement.

“Acacia, lomandra, banksia, spinifex, pigface and tuckeroo are some of the species we’re seeking to plant to stabilise the area and increase biodiversity,” he said.

The top of the highest dune would be shaved by about 3m, also to enhance stability.

Protective fencing is planned along the front and back of the dune, from the clubhouse to First Creek, with a newly aligned central access path.

“The wire and mesh screen on top of the timber wall near the shower are earmarked for replacement to stop sand blowing into the shower area whenever we get strong winds,” Mr Callander said.

Crews would also reshape the sand around the beach access point at the southern end of the car park leading to First Creek to improve accessibility.

Feedback on the draft plan is open until 19 February. Go to shape.lakemac.com.au for more information and to have your say.