Coastal protection works to address serious erosion issues at Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay have been completed as part of a $1.6 million NSW Government investment to improve safety and access for beachgoers and protect important community assets from further erosion.
High tides and ocean swells had taken a toll on the beach and surrounding dunes, affecting public access and threatening the Crown land reserve and adjoining Reflections Byron Bay Holiday Park.
The NSW Government, through Crown Lands and its Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF), provided $1.275 million for the protection works, with Reflections Holidays engaging the Soil Conservation Service to deliver the project.
Work started in early August and continued over five weeks to install about 600 sandbags across a 72-metre section of previously unprotected beach at the front of the holiday park.
The existing sandbag wall installed on the reserve beachfront in 2020 was also repaired as part of the works program.
Revegetation works will be carried out in October, with fencing installed to protect regrowth.
Crown Lands will allocate a further $395,000 to support further sand nourishment works at Clarkes Beach, which are expected to be completed next year.
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said:
“Our beaches are a treasured part of life on the North Coast, but they face pressure from coastal erosion, severe weather and high tides.
“This funding has delivered practical protection for the reserve at popular Clarkes Beach to enhance the visitor experience and help minimise the risk to our valuable community assets.
“Investments like this at Clarkes Beach supports both our coastline and the communities that rely on it.
“While we can’t control the weather and ocean conditions that affect our beaches, we can take practical action to protect our natural assets, cultural heritage and community infrastructure.”