Vincentia residents await ‘godsend’ for Collingwood Beach

For years, environmentalists, scientists, residents, council staff, councillors, state government Office of Environment and Heritage staff have wrestled over a solution, and it appears they will rest on an agreement at Shoalhaven City Council’s next meeting.

Save Collingwood Beach spokesman Bruce McKenzie believes the dunes are a “ticking time bomb” and has lobbied for approval to regenerate the bush after trees and shrubs on the sand were poisoned.

“We’re at the stage where we agree it is for the common good to use the dune system we have, and make it as resilient as possible,” he said.

“We supported strongly the recommendation council staff put up on Tuesday night, we feel it’s the only way forward.

“We will reestablish the bush land, and do it in a way that’s sensitive to everyone’s needs.”

The recommendation was deferred, to allow for council to liaise with Minister for the Environment Gabrielle Upton who visited Collingwood Beach on Wednesday.

A representative from an opposing action group that wants government to leave the dunes alone spoke with Ms Upton on Wednesday.

Mr McKenzie hopes that Ms Upton’s visit has not impacted council’s direction on the project.

“People here are dependant on tourism,” he said.

“You walk along the path and it looks more like a war-zone than an unspoiled beach.

“All the banksias and the trees have been poisoned, they are just stark branches, falling over as they rot away. The grasses are dead. There’s a bare expanse of dunes, and open sand.

“Last week when we had those winds, to walk along the beach was very unpleasant.

“What we have there, half a dune, is the only defence Vincentia has against storms.

“Council would be liable to any damage to houses if the dune remains in a dilapidated state, that means we, as ratepayers, would be liable.”