DEAR News Of The Area,

ON 25 June 2024 Port Stephens Council adopted their Coastal Management Plan which identified concerns about the impact of beach erosion on Shoal Bay Road.

They mentioned that irrespective of the present day risk given that Shoal Bay road provides the only access to parts of Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay Council is concerned that the level of risk is unacceptably high.

One of the options suggested was to consider relocation of Shoal Bay Road at Shoal Bay.

Since then and on 1 August a major weather event occurred which created significant erosion on Shoal Bay beach, taking it within six metres of Shoal Bay road, which according to the Coastal Management Plan trigger’s introduction of preventive measures including sandbagging.

Also since the adoption of the Coastal Management Plan a major fire occurred on 2 September in the Tomaree National Park adjacent to Wreck Beach in Shoal Bay which has heightened concerns by residents in the Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay communities.

The consequent potential impact on the ability for access by emergency vehicles and evacuation procedures are of major concern to residents.

In fact early responses from a recent member and letterbox drop survey of Fingal Bay ratepayers and residents conducted by Fingal Bay Community Association (FBCA) indicates that an alternate road into Shoal/Fingal Bays is a high priority.

Our organisation also strongly regards it as a high priority and therefore the commencement of planning and route identification for an alternate road is urgent and therefore should be given the highest priority.

Extreme weather conditions impacting Shoal Bay beach is not a new phenomenon, but the recent events have again highlighted the vulnerability and concerns of the Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay residents which has a combined population of approximately 3500 and escalates substantially during holiday periods.

Regards,
Peter CLOUGH,
President,
Tomaree Headland Heritage Group.