Investigation of an ocean outlet north of Fern Beach in the Billinudgel Nature Reserve was supported by all councillors at the 19 March Byron Shire Council meeting.
The proposal was originally one of several options proposed for investigation by the Marshalls Creek Flood Forum (MCFF) that is made up of the South Golden Beach Community Association (SGBCA), the New Brighton Village Association (NBVA), and the Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA). However, Cr David Warth chose to bring just this one option, supported by OSCA, to the meeting.
However, Cr Elia Hauge told The Echo that the other options should also be brought to Council.
‘I support the investigation of reopening the outlet at Fern Beach as a potential nature-based solution to alleviate flooding in the north of the Shire,’ Cr Hauge told The Echo following the meeting.
‘However, it’s important that this is done systematically and as part of the wider flood study for the catchment, and is considered alongside other flood mitigation options for South Golden Beach and the Brunswick River catchment more broadly.’
Cr Hauge said that she will bring the rest of the MCFF proposals that include: ‘diminish rock walls at Readings Bay to encourage lowering of the sandy bed of Marshalls Creek upstream; other dredging options (potentially with coastal beach nourishment); detention of flood water upstream of Billinudgel to lower peak flows downstream; adequate budgeting for effective ongoing maintenance of levees, drains, culverts and flapvalves,’ to the next Council meeting.
‘The community has come together to do important collaborative engagement and produce their statement, which should be considered in depth,’ she said.
‘By getting everything into the flood study where it can be evaluated systematically there’s no preferential treatment for any option. Unfortunately, this flood study was not considered “high priority” by the NSW government and did not receive funding for this financial year, despite being well overdue since the devastating 2022 floods. Our community deserves better.’
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