Recent big swells over the last week have severely eroded dunes across the region – in Byron Shire, Council say the most impacted beaches are New Brighton and Suffolk Park.
They say, ‘Beach access paths have also been damaged and in places there is now a very steep drop to get onto the beach’.
‘Signs have been put up to warn people that some access paths are closed because of the steep drop and these beaches can be quite dangerous if the tide is high and waves are rushing up to the foot of the eroded dune face,’ Malcolm Robertson, Acting Manager Works, said.
‘People should also not sit, walk or play near eroded dunes because there is always the risk of collapse,’ he said.
‘Staff have been busy picking up old car tyres from the beach at Suffolk Park after they were washed out of the dunes.
‘Over the years property owners have been using the tyres on the dunes in front of their homes to make steps for private beach access or for landscaping.
‘“These tyres are an environmental problem and while Council is picking them up, this comes at a cost to ratepayers,’ Mr Robertson said.
‘This is an ongoing problem for Council, and our Bush Regeneration team is always talking to property owners about the impact of doing unauthorised work in sensitive environments like our coast areas,’ he said.
‘People who see tyres on the beach can report it on Council’s website or call 6626 7000′.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
