The dune at Shoalhaven Heads had accumulated so much sand, that surf lifesavers were unable to see swimmers from their post at the surf club.
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This is in breach of Surf Lifesaving Australia policy – at patrolled beaches, at least two surf lifesavers must be on patrol from the sand, and one from a watchtower.
Shoalhaven City Council will excavate 2m off the sand dune, so that the thousands of visitors to the beach this summer will be safe, and seen from the surf club.
Council will also develop a dune management plan to ensure it doesn’t build up again and block the vision of surf lifesavers.
Shoalhaven Heads surf lifesavers made a deputation at a council meeting last night, declaring sand builds up on the dune when the north-easterly wind hits the beach.
Considering it has been an ongoing issue over 40-50 years, councillors were disappointed it hadn’t been dealt with earlier.
“It needs to be an automatic thing that happens each year,” Cr Bob Proudfoot said.
He also joked they need a “Sanda Claus” out there to fix the dune before Christmas.
Councillors voted for immediate action, and the management plan.
It is understood work has been under way as of today.
For: Mayor Amanda Findley, Crs Joanna Gash, John Wells, Patricia White, Kaye Gartner, Annette Alldrick, Mitchell Pakes, Bob Proudfoot, Greg Watson, Mark Kitchener
Against: Crs John Levett, Nina Cheyne
Absent: Cr Andrew Guile