Newell sand shifting works an 'interim measure'
Beach replenishment
A new round of sand-replenishment works at the southern end of Newell Beach is set to take place next week, with parts of the beach to be closed off for about two days.
Douglas Shire Council will begin what is described as “sand scraping”, where heavy machinery will be used to shift sand from lower areas to help rebuild the dunes near several houses which back onto the beach.
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The works, which are expected to go for about two days, are considered by the council an “interim measure to stabilise the beach”.
“Works are expected to finish before the large tides forecast for early February,” the DSC states.
“Access to the southern end of Newell Beach may be temporarily restricted for safety during the works.”
The replenishment program, which will be jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments as part of Cyclone Jasper emergency works, comes after a deputation in November’s council meeting on behalf of a group of Newell Beach residents.
The council heard at the time some foreshore homes were “under siege” from weather events and surging tides, and if the DSC did not take immediate action, it may be leaving itself open to being “sued for negligence”.
A presentation to the meeting by Lisa Dunkerton on behalf of three beachfront homes outlined how advice had been sought from a “preeminent Kings Counsel who specialises in environmental law”.
“His view is a local council can be sued for negligence when managing Crown Land if they fail to do something that was foreseeable to avoid injury or losses," Ms Dunkerton said during her about 15-minute speech.
She called for the immediate installation of a rock wall, or sandbags, to help stop erosion.
Newsport readers, however, slammed the council in October, saying sand returned to Newell back then as part of a replenishment program had quickly washed away.
Also in October, the DSC invited residents to help shape a long-term strategy to protect Newell and Four Mile beaches from coastal erosion.
As part of that strategy, the DSC has been conducting a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan Survey, with the closing date now being extended to Monday, January 26.
Go to douglas.qld.gov.au for further details on taking part in the survey.