Coastal and estuary restoration works

The dune enhancement program will see to the remediation of the dune fields at Redhead Beach, and will involve:

• the closure of informal tracks
• formalisation of suitable existing public access
• installation of dune formation fencing and
• revegetation with native coastal dune species. 

Frequently asked questions 

What's involved?

At Redhead Beach, works for 2024 involve reprofiling the frontal dune north of First Creek, followed by revegetation with 8,250 native coastal species planted to help stabilise the dune.

Why is it needed?

Vegetation communities naturally grow in sandy dune systems along the coastline. Vegetation on some coastal dunes have become degraded as a result of human activity and changing climates. Revegetation in exposed areas of the dune at Redhead will help to stabilise the dune, increase biodiversity, restore ecological health, and improve the resilience of the coastline which will help during storm events.

How long will the works take?

The works will take place over April and May 2024. 

What native species will be planted along the dune?

The native species selected for this area includes two resilient ground covers which are pig face (Carpobrotus glaucescens) and dune fan flower (Scaveola calendulacea), as well as the low growing shrub coastal wattle (Acacia sophorae). These species are common on the frontal dunes of our local beaches and show resilience through harsh weather conditions.

Council received a three-year grant through the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Implementation Program to rehabilitate Pendlebury Park, Bonnells Bay. The project will start in July 2024 with rehabilitation work to be completed end of June 2027. 

Three threatened ecological communities are present at Pendlebury Park and are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. These communities are coastal saltmarsh, river-flat eucalypt forest and swamp oak floodplain forest.

Works on site will include targeted weed control. Target weed species include ground asparagus (Asparagus aethiopicus), coastal morning glory (Ipomoea cairica), buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), lantana (Lantana camara), bamboo (Phyllostachys sp.) and garden escapees.

Council received a two-year grant through the NSW Government's Coastal and Estuary Implementation Program to rehabilitate over 3,000m² of littoral rainforest at Salts Bay, Swansea Heads. The project commenced in July 2023 and is scheduled for completion in June 2025.

Littoral rainforest is an endangered ecological community (EEC) that occurs in small stands and represents less than one percent of rainforest area in NSW. Littoral rainforest is protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and critically endangered ecological community (CEEC) under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The project aims to reduce impact on littoral rainforest from transformer weeds, urban impacts, restore and preserve habitat values and reduce erosion impacts. Works on site will include targeted weed control, planting of 1,653 native tube stock, erosion control and fencing (to prevent unauthorised access and dumping).