Old Bar dinner postponed
A Fundraising dinner in Old Bar planned for this Saturday night has unfortunately had to be postponed. Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group had arranged the gala event at the surf club to raise further funds in its quest for an offshore reef to protect the town's eroding coastline. However plans had to be changed this week, for a couple of reasons, at this stage, Elaine Pearce OBBSRG President hasn't set a new date for the event.
Stop Press!
I would first like to commend the Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group (OBBSRG) for its ongoing fundraising efforts to pursue solutions to the management of erosion at Old Bar Beach, including the proposal for the construction of an offshore artificial reef.You may already be aware that the Worley Parsons Coastal Zone Management Study fo the area included a preliminary assessment of the feasibility of using an artificial reef to protect properties at Old Bar and concluded that it was not feasible. I understand that the Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group proposes to commission Amalgamate Solutions and Research Limited (ASRL)to prepare a detailed feasibility study of the constuction of an artificial reef in te area, using funding from a Federal Government grant and monies raised by the OBBSRG.
The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that all stakeholders have access to the best available information to guide the future management of Old Bar Beach. In keeping with this commitment, I am pleased to inform you that the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) is prepared to fund an independent review of the findings of the ASRL study, as well as the performance of existing artificial reefs in regards to their feasibility for coastal protection in NSW. OEH will work closely with the Greater Taree City Council Estuary and Coastline Management Committee to progrss this review.
In the meantime, I would like to encourage the OBBSRG to continue its admirable ongoing work through the Greater Taree City Council Estuary and Coastline Management Committee to address the challenging problem of erosion at Old Bar Beach.
Should you have any further enquiries regarding the management of erosion at Old Bar Beach you may contact Mr Peter Evans, Manager, Hunter/Lower North Coast Urban and Coastal Water Programs.
I trust this information is of assistance
Yours Sincerely
BIG BIG NEWS!
Coastal Management Plan At the council meeting on Wednesday night, February 16, 2011, in the matter of the Coastal Management Plan, a decision was made that, whilst "planned retreat" was the first resolution,stating that all options in the coastal management study should be included in the coastal management plan, leaves the door open that if our "feasibility study" proves that an off-shore reef will protect and replenish our beach, that council will then be able to take it to the government for funding. And it is our suggestion that we can be used as a "pilot plan" for protection which may be available to all coastal communities being affected by erosion.
Our group feels that this is the outcome of council and community working together - sharing ideas and research and it was pleasing that several councillors commended our group on our efforts. Working together we can do it - It's possible.
Now that we have proceeded this far we have to increase our efforts at fund raising so that we might have a positive feasibility study for July when the coastal management plan will be approved. We have raised $20,000 already and need another $30,000 (maybe +) to complete the study. We are constantly in contact with government agencies as to the likelihood of funding by way of grants as well as our efforts with Bunning's Barbecues, raffles, market stalls and garage sales. (Information on our latest raffle is on the events page.
Read our own Press Release here.
MORE BIG NEWS!
Feasibility StudyOn Sunday February 27 Dr. Shaw Mead donned flippers and air tanks and with the help of local Andrew Gillogly and his tinnie "Tin Pig" placed the "aquadopp" about 200 metres off-shore of the Badgers beach to measure wave and current activity. A buoy marks the spot and can be readily seen off the beach - a small black ball bobbing around out there. This has now been in position for the required four weeks and will be retrieved again by another scientist, Andrew Moores, with the help of Andrew Gillogly again. Whilst carrying out this operation another section of the study will be covered by way of a drop camera survey. All this material then goes back to the lab. in NZ to further our study.
Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group
is continuing in its efforts to restore and preserve our beach. The main beach is far from appealing at the moment with so many rugged rocks exposed. If we are not able to achieve urgent action the following features of our everyday life will be severely affected
Infrastructure
Midcoast Water Sewerage Treatment Ponds - These are at severe risk. If they have to be replaced an estimated cost for ocean outfall is around $60 million. Old Bar Public School - $7.5 million has just been spent on replacing several buildings and other work at the school. The foredune at the school is presently suffering the greatest erosion at the rate of approximately 8 metres a year.
Private Property
A modest estimate here would be in the vicinity of $250 million. But that is only a cash estimate. These are homes of our residents. The elderly - who have worked all their lives for their home. The young ones - who have families and are still paying off a mortgage on their home. The middle aged - who have a holiday home which they regard as their superannuation Think of the trauma it will cause to these hard-working ratepayers.
Commercial
Old Bar is the closest beach to Taree and as such creates tourist trade for the whole Greater Taree City area as well as Old Bar. The comments we are getting at the moment from tourists is that their main complaint is the state of the beach and it is certainly not indicative of any return visits or favourable "word of mouth" advertising. The whole area is suffering, and suffering badly, as a tourist destination because of the erosion of our beach.
Recreation
Because of the loss of sand the rocks are prevalent in our surf and it is not pleasant at all and certainly is interrupting the recreational pleasure of the area as we have known it for many years.
Environment
Littoral Rainforest - This is an endangered species and we have one small patch immediately joining and south of the school. This has been used for access to the beach and for nature study by our school always, but it is rapidly disappearing (the present rate about 8 metres a year) and access to the beach is no longer possible through this area as it ends in a cliff of sand about 6 metres high
Plans And Hopes
Our immediate and urgent plan is for seawalls with engaged groynes (refer to plan) and this is the basis of our constant communication with council. However we have now through our research discovered a more long term method and that is an off-shore reef. This is discussed in more detail in our newspage
Off-Shore Reef
We have to obtain funding for the study - we have to look to all businesses in Taree and Old Bar to help us fund this study which is to the advantage of all.
Funding The Actual Work
We have to search out sources of funding by way of grants etc. and we must do this research whilst the study is being done so that we are ready to proceed as soon as the study is completed.
We live in a beautiful area of the world and we must work
To maintain it for this and future generations
JOIN OUR GROUP AND HELP IN OUR EFFORTS
Our Committee
I wish to take this opportunity to praise the committee we have working for us. Our group and tireless workers;
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COUNCIL PROTEST: Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group |
Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group Inc.
Welcome to our site, this site and the "Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group Inc" which is a non profit organisation, was formed by a group of concerned local residents to help save our Old Bar Beach from total erosion. You don't have to be a resident of Old Bar to support this cause, you only need to care about the environment and our beautiful beaches.
Objective
Replenishment and preservation of sand to Old Bar Beach with guidance from suitably qualified persons and consultation with relevant authorities
Principal Activity
Raising funds to carry out work approved by relevant authorities by way of seeking grants and approaching public for donations
Rudd Speaks On Erosion Issue
Recently "16-09-2009" Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined the Federal Government's policy response to
Mid North Coast communities affected by coastal erosion. Mr Rudd acknowledged the plight of Old Bar residents
under threat from receding shorelines, in his response to a question in Parliment, made by member for Lyne,
Mr Robert Oakeshott.
•
Elaine Pearce to Alan Tickle
• Alan Tickle to Elaine Pearce
• Mark Searles to Alan Tickle•
Report on Groynes
• John Turner's Questions
• John Turner Letter
• R Oakeshott's Questions
