Foreshore rehabilitation partnership gets to the point

Lake Macquarie City Council has joined forces with Biraban Local Aboriginal Land Council to preserve one of the city’s most scenic stretches of lakeside land.

Council project staff worked alongside Aboriginal heritage officers from the land council to rehabilitate more than 150m of foreshore on Shingle Splitters Point at Balcolyn, a finger of land with spectacular views towards Pulbah Island and Myuna Bay.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the $200,000 project involved installation of rock revetment along the shoreline to address significant erosion that occurred during intense storms in May and June 2025.

“We identified Aboriginal heritage items in the vicinity prior to work getting underway, which prompted us to contact Biraban LALC and work closely with them throughout the project,” he said.

“By working closely with their Aboriginal heritage officers, we were able to protect the foreshore while also respecting the area’s cultural significance.”

“It’s a great example of how infrastructure projects can be delivered in partnership with traditional custodians of our city.”

Shingle Splitters Point takes its name from the time when casuarina trees growing there were felled to make wooden roofing tiles.

But the discovery of ancient Aboriginal shell middens indicates the point and surrounding area were frequented long before European settlement.

Biraban LALC Chief Executive Jamie Williams said his organisation provided cultural expertise, participated in site assessments and guided work throughout the project.

“The area is significant due to its connection to traditional Awabakal land use and cultural practices. and its importance as part of the broader cultural landscape,” he said.

“It represents an ongoing connection between people, place and history.”

Mr Williams said the outcome reflected a “positive and respectful” partnership with Council.

“The collaborative approach has resulted in a project that not only protects cultural heritage but also strengthens relationships and sets a strong foundation for future work together,” he said.

Similar foreshore works are now underway to stabilise a section of the Pelican foreshore, east of the Maritime Rescue NSW base.

Go to lakemac.com.au to find out more about projects underway across the city.