Ray Hunt, Ballina
I have observed the silting/shoaling of the Richmond River over the last 40 years owing to removal of the permanent dredge that was required to maintain channels for navigation. The placement of bridges and abutments adds to the problem.
A possible solution could be a sand bypass similar to the one at Tweed River. This would replenish sand to the Ballina coast, Lennox Beach and eventually sand would migrate to Byron, getting into the bay and beyond.
The original design of all the river breakwalls on the east coast was reliant on a dredge to maintain navigable conditions. If the cost is split between those councils that benefit and state/federal government, it would be a win-win for the entire north coast and beyond.
