Council resolved to note the proactive release by the Acting CEO of two documents, in redacted form, relating to Wamberal Beach erosion.

The ‘Wamberal Beach NSW Storm Erosion Remediation Report’ and the cost benefit analysis report from the Office of Environment and Heritage will be available on Council’s website in the very near future.

Mayor Jane Smith said the release of the documents aligned with Council’s new Proactive Release Program confirming Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We want the community to have faith that we are making informed decisions in their best interests,” said Mayor Jane Smith.

“We support proactive release of information that will inform our residents.

“There is a great deal of community interest and concern in how Council is addressing issues of erosion at Wamberal Beach and the release of this information will help better inform the community.”

Council has also established a project working group to support the implementation of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) options related to the immediate and future erosion of Wamberal Beach and particularly to consider a Wamberal Protective Wall.

The Wamberal Working Group is comprised of local community representatives and stakeholders from Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Department of Industry, and Central Coast Council. The group will investigate options and a costing model for the proposed development of a seawall and beach nourishment, with the resulting recommendations presented to Council.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council was taking a collaborative approach to delivering long term management strategies for the ongoing protection of the Wamberal coastal area.

“There are a number of challenges to work through and this is not about delivering a quick fix – we’re committed to delivering sustainable management measures for the safety of our community into the future.

“There is particularly interest in the Office of Environment and Heritage cost benefit analysis and what this means for the revetment wall and this is something the Working group will look at closely.”