MOLLYMOOK BEACH MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN Updated January 2019

Contents Background ...... 2 Aim ...... 3 Overview ...... 4 North precinct...... 5 North precinct implementation table ...... 7 Mid-precinct...... 9 Mid-precinct implementation table...... 11 South Precinct...... 13 South precinct implementation table ...... 15 Beach Processes and Hazards...... 17 Managing Coastal Erosion north of Blackwater Creek...... 20 Sand Nourishment...... 20 Training wall ...... 21

This Management Action Plan has been prepared by staff in the Natural Resources & Floodplain Unit. For further information contact Penelope Lumb 4429 3623 or [email protected]

1 June 2013

Background Mollymook Beach is a premier tourist destination for the south coast and for NSW. The three main public access precincts, and therefore the most visible, are in need of a facelift. Redundant infrastructure, weed infestation, mowing practices and heavy visitation have combined to create a shabby, ad hoc appearance along much of the beach and its adjacent reserves. Two creeks outlet onto Mollymook Beach; Mollymook Creek to the north (1.2 sq km catchment) and Blackwater Creek towards the south (3 sq km catchment). Mollymook oval and the Hilltop Golf Course (respectively) and are built on the back swamps of these creeks. Both creeks are ICOLLS – Intermittently Open and Closed Lake or Lagoon. Mollymook Beach is identified as one of Shoalhaven’s 10 key risk beaches with public and private assets being vulnerable to coastal erosion. As such Council was required to prepare an erosion remediation strategy; prepared by Royal Haskoning in 2014. Management actions at Mollymook Beach will need to be mindful of potential coastal erosion risk and damage.

The 2011 census shows that a total of 3246 people reside in the Mollymook and Mollymook Beach areas. During peak holiday times, this figure more than triples. At South Mollymook, the Mollymook Golf Club, Surf Club and cluster of accommodation options make this the busiest, most intensely visited part of the beach. The Mollymook Beach Reserve (an Icon Park), provides space for the appropriate infrastructure needed to manage the spikes in visitation with car parking, disabled access, picnic facilities, playground, fitness equipment and open space for large events. The Mitchell Parade Reserve is a long, thin parcel of land managed by Council that stretches from Blackwater Creek to the north end of the beach. The mid-precinct is the narrowest and lowest section of Mitchel Parade Reserve and in places Mitchell Parade itself is less than 20 metres from the beach. This makes the mid-precinct a convenient and easy place to view the ocean and also makes it especially vulnerable to coastal erosion. At ‘North Molly’, the land behind the beach is very steep, making access more challenging than at other sections of the beach. Beyond north Mollymook, Mitchell Parade Reserve continues around the vegetated cliffs of Bannister Point, providing a natural back drop to the view north. 2

Aim The eight documents below provide general management principles, actions and/or guidance on issues relevant to Mollymook Beach.

The aim of the Mollymook Beach Management Action Plan (MAP) is to provide one simple plan which will serve as the guide to operational actions at Mollymook Beach and foreshore reserves for up to five years. Following adoption by Council, it will be incorporated into the Shoalhaven Coastal Zone Management Plan.

It is recognised that further consultation may be required on some specific items identified in the action tables.

Mollymook Beach Reserve Plan of Management, 2005 http://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Dis playdoc.aspx?Record=D11/116116

Generic Community Lands Plan of Coastal Erosion Remediation Management – Natural Areas 2013 Options – Mollymook Beach http://projects.umwelt.com.au/shoalh http://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Di Mollymook splaydoc.aspx?Record=D13/99417 aven- Beach coastline/docs/rp8A0101_gpb_0608 12_Mollymook.pdf MAP Coastal and Estuary Asset Foreshore Reserves Policy Management Plan 2013 http://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/display http://doc.intranet/displaydoc.aspx?r doc.aspx?record=POL12/58 ecord=POL12/304

Shoalhaven Coastal Zone Management Plan 2018

3 Overview North precinct  Steep bank from Beach Road down to the beach  Limited parking on Beach Road causing congestion and pedestrian/vehicle conflict during peak seasons.  Vehicle access to amenities block  Facilities – timber staircase and concrete steps to beach, public amenities block, shower, seat, picnic shelter, bins  Car park at Mollymoke Farm Creek – beach access with a timber bridge  Heavy weed invasion, on the dunes & hind dunes north & south of Mollymook Creek and back swamp  Road storm water outlet adjacent to Mollymoke Farm Creek entrance  Gabion training wall on northern side of Creek  Sewer pump station Central precinct  Narrow reserve with road very close to the beach  Beach access ways x 7  Small, grassy area used for surf competitions and picnicking at northern end  Facilities – picnic tables x 2, one with shade shelter  Limited parking in 3 parking bays and kerbside  Shared path  Storm water outlets x 2  Sewer pump station South precinct  Mollymook Beach Reserve is an Icon Park heavily used for major events (surf carnivals, markets, Australia Day) and public recreation  Facilities – Surf Club, Golf Club, Livi’s Place (all abilities playground), fitness equipment, public amenities (including showers), picnic shelters x 8 with shade shelters, barbecues, bins, parking areas x 2, shared path  Rock gabion, foreshore protection in front of Golf Club  Narrow, weed infested, low dune with several informal access ways  Blackwater Creek entrance  Storm water outlet  Sewer pump stations x 2 North precinct Mitchell Parade Reserve: SMM809 owned by SCC (Natural Area). 65m wide to just 6m wide. The eastern boundary meets high water mark and land held by the Crown.

Background The north Mollymook Beach precinct includes the Beach Road ‘North Molly’ area, Mollymoke Farm Creek and car park and beach access. The precinct is a dog prohibited area. ‘North Molly’ is the preferred, sheltered swimming location when nor’easters are prevailing during the summer months. During peak holiday times, it’s very busy and congested with pedestrian / vehicle conflict creating safety concerns as there are no footpaths. Pedestrian access is via two laneways to the north-west and, from the south, along Beach Rd. The laneway from Mitchell Parade to Beach Rd consists of a long flight of concrete steps. Parking congestion accumulates around the top of the steps during peak seasons. The gravel carpark at Mollymoke Farm Creek is also heavily utilised; sometimes for overnight camping. Public assets include an ageing amenities block with a shower, a picnic shelter, vehicle access to the amenities block, timber stair case, signage, 5 storm water drains (Beach Rd) linked to one beach outlet discharging into Mollymoke Farm Creek, beach access with a timber bridge, 2 sewer pump stations and a car park There are also three steep, informal access tracks from Beach Rd which don’t appear to be causing any problems. The southern access is now maintained by residents. Most people use the easier options of the central staircase and the vehicle access & steps at the end of Beach Rd. The vehicle access is utilised by contract cleaners (public amenities block), seasonal life guards to install their caravan and emergency vehicles. A gabion training wall was constructed on the northern side of Mollymook Creek in 1994 to stop the creek periodically flowing north and eroding the base of the Beach Road embankment. This was repaired and extended with geotextile sand filled bags in 2016. Mollymook Beach Bushcare group work in the littoral rainforest east of the public amenities block (not since the land slip) and at other locations along Mollymook Beach dunes.

5 Public amenities

Picnic shelter

Bush regeneration site Vehicle access

Concrete steps Pedestrian refuge to be built here Timber stair case

Proposed footpath path to end of Informal beach access maintained by residents Beach Rd Gabion training wall

Mollymook Creek

Car park Pedestrian access Storm water outlet

Timber bridge Signage totem Sewer pump station

6 Objective Action and completion details Responsibility & updates Provide safe Replace joists & landings on the Beach Road staircase. Add wing Coast & Estuaries Officer beach access fence/leaning rails at the top to deter access beside the stairs. Completed December 2015 at a cost of $5,775. An informal path to the beach is maintained and used by Coast & Estuaries Officer residents and visitors (photo) which intersects with the proposed footpath. Upgrade this access when Assets and Works constructs the Beach Rd footpath.

Extend existing footpath (from Mitchell Pde) to the end of Beach Assets & Works Road.

Strengthen dune A bush regeneration site has been established in bushland north Natural Areas Officer. resilience and of the Creek and extending along the back of the dune. Primary works completed protect remnant Weed control will include a stand of Casuarinas and Lilly Pilly at May 2015 at a cost of vegetation the car park which is smothered with Moth Vine and pink trumpet $2002. vine (Podranea). Secondary works have Planting included as required. been undertaken.

Improve visual Remove redundant posts from Mollymoke Farm Creek car park Coast & Estuaries Officer amenity Completed October 2015 7 (included in removal of all redundant posts and signs at Narrawallee and Mollymook Beaches). Asset upgrades Training wall: repair gabion basket training wall and replace failed Completed August 2016 & coastal end section with sand filled geo textile bags. at a cost of $27,500 protection Picnic shelter: Install protection in front of picnic shelter to Rock installed under slab manage erosion (short term). In the longer term, consider in March 2016. relocating or removing the picnic shelter. More rock protection under picnic table, access road repairs, turf and bollards - May 2017

Creek name sign: to avoid further confusion between the two Completed October 2016 creeks, add ‘Mollymoke Farm Creek’ sign to bridge railing.

8 Mid-precinct Mitchell Parade Reserve: SMM809 owned by SCC (Natural Area). For most of its length, the reserve is approximately 6 m wide, fanning out at each end to approximately 30 m. The eastern boundary meets high water mark and land held by the Crown. Background The small precinct shown on the map stands out as the place where the road meets the sea to provide ocean views and easy beach access. The precinct is a 24 hour, dog on leash area. It also services a popular surfing break called ‘Reef’. Occasional surf competitions are held here and participants and spectators utilise the small, mown area adjacent to the sewer pump station. Public assets include three parking bays, a heavily utilised shared path, signage, picnic furniture, two storm water outlets and a sewer pump station. There are also seven Council maintained, beach access ways in a distance of just 370m. Three of these service parking bays and picnic furniture; three are feeder paths servicing the surrounding urban area. It’s intended to close one access. The beach and public assets in this precinct are extremely vulnerable to coastal erosion and at immediate risk from a ‘design’ storm. The Royal Haskoning report (Coastal Remediation Concept Design) concludes, ‘There is no reasonable opportunity to relocate the assets in Precinct C which therefore must either be relinquished or protected.’ Mitchell Parade has a high traffic volume during peak holiday seasons. Pedestrian access to the beach is via a laneway, with a long flight of concrete steps, and residential streets which feed onto Mitchell Parade.

9 Mown area 1 used for surf competitions

Concrete steps 2

Access no longer 3 maintained

4 Revegetate to east of Picnic shelter shared path to limit 5 mowing. Weed control in dune vegetation

Picnic table

6

Revegetation areas Pedestrian access Storm water outlet 7 Signage totem Sewer pump station

10 Objective Action and completion details Photos and other info Responsibility &updates

Improve visual Remove posts and rails and cease maintenance of access 3 Coast & Estuaries Officer amenity and relocate signage to access 4. Completed – see below Remove yellow M3 and M4 signs (x4). These signs were installed by the Lions Club in the 1980s as reference points for emergency services. They are now redundant and removal has been approved by the Lions Club, Ulladulla Police and Ambulance Service. Relocate Resuscitation sign to back of a reserve sign, facing beach. Remove redundant posts and fencing. Ulladulla Public School Coast & Estuaries Officer signs are to be returned to the School. Completed in October 2015 at a In the 1990s, Greening Australia funded the establishment of a cost of $2,673 - also included Dunecare group at Mollymook Beach. Ulladulla Public School removing redundant signs from became an active member and took on stewardship of this Narrawallee and all of Mollymook precinct. The Dunecare group is no longer active; however the Beach – total of 40 posts & signs. school has indicated interest in replanting sprayed/mown areas. Remove posts and rails above both storm water outlets and Coast & Estuaries Officer replace with leaning rails; 18 – 20 m of capped post and rail Completed October 2015 at a (900mm high). Maintain view lines. cost of $5,500.

Strengthen Widen dune vegetation and minimise unnecessary mowing by Coast & Estuaries Officer dune resilience spraying & mulching the area between the dune vegetation Stage 1 completed March 2015. and protect and the shared path. Control buffalo, kikuyu and other weeds Follow up April/May & November remnant invading the dune vegetation. 2016 - $2442 vegetation Work will be staged, beginning with steeper sections where Stage 2 completed March/April mowing is difficult. Planting of appropriate species. 2017 at a cost of $5,236, including planting. Stage 3 weed control and mulch December 2017 $1,144

11 Close access 3 - vegetation pruning was ceased on access 3 and planting undertaken at the reserve end to discourage pedestrian access. The vegetation had almost closed in when it was mysteriously pruned back. Vegetation is also being ‘hedged’ for views and the access is still being used. A banksia is also now dead at the northern extent of the hedging. Send letter to property owners from 31 to 59 Mitchell Pde explaining what Council is trying to achieve and seeking their cooperation. Between accesses 6 and 7 there is a large area where mowing Completed March 2015. could be reduced. Follow up May 2016. Using the islands of lomandra as the outer edge limit, grass will be sprayed & mulched in preparation for planting.

Replanting will be undertaken by Natural Areas contractor Natural Areas Officer. using available and appropriate species. Replanting is ongoing Completed October 2015 at a as more mown areas are reclaimed for dune vegetation. cost of $380

South of the precinct, in the Mitchell Parade Reserve, Council Coast & Estuaries Officer and private mowing continue behind the dune, in patches, to Blackwater Creek. Closing most access ways was There are also at least 6 private, informal beach access ways addressed as part of the sand in this stretch of the dune. placement in front of this row of The Royal Haskoning report states at action 12.12, ‘Consult properties in May 2016. with residents along Mollymook Beach about reducing the Weed control is still required in frequency of pedestrian access ways from private dwellings this stretch. across the dunes. The aim is to reduce pressures on dune vegetation and to enhance the resilience of dune landforms.’ Community Interpretive sign about coastal erosion and dune resilience - Coast & Estuaries Officer education adjacent to one leaning rail. Improve public Consider replacing old picnic table with a picnic shelter to Community & Recreation Officer facilities match existing.

12 Provide safe At access 6, mulch erosion scar and construct steps Coast & Estuaries Officer beach access Completed June 2017 at a cost of $5,500.

13 South Precinct Mollymook Beach Reserve: SMM922, Crown Reserve Trust managed by SCC. Background The south end of Mollymook Beach is Shoalhaven’s most visited swimming beach. It is a dog prohibited area. The Mollymook Beach Reserve is an Icon Park. In 2005 Council adopted the Mollymook Beach Reserve Plan of Management. Many actions have been implemented; other actions are ongoing or have yet to be implemented. Actions in this plan will be consistent with those identified in the 2005 PoM. Public assets include Mollymook Surf Club and café, beach accesses, signage, public amenities, shared path, picnic shelters, barbeques, fitness equipment, an all abilities playground and parking areas. There is also one major storm water outlet (draining most of the urban area to the south and east) and two sewer pump stations. In front of the Golf Club, Council has constructed a shoreline protection asset consisting of gabion baskets to protect the sewer line and the Club. Mollymook Beach Reserve is used for large events such as the NSW Country Surf Life Saving Championships, Australia Day celebrations and regular markets. To the north is Blackwater Creek, which functions naturally as an ICOLL (Intermittently closed and opening lake or lagoon). To protect houses to the north of the Creek, a training wall was constructed in 2016, together with sand nourishment along the dune.

14 Emergency and event vehicle access Coastal protection works – sand nourishment (to middle Molly) and training wall

Blackwater Creek

Bush regeneration site.

Sand ramp installed as vehicle access for surf carnival

Half basketball Dune vegetation court – competed rehabilitation 2016.

All Abilities All Access playground, Livi’s Place, completed in 2018.

Rock protection Pedestrian access Storm water outlet Signage totem Sewer pump station 15 Objective Action Photos other info Responsibility & updates

Improve Remove redundant M5 and M6 signs x 5 Coast & Estuaries Officer visual amenity Remove 2 tall posts at the base of the dune which had showers attached. Completed October 2015

Strengthen The dune face is largely covered with rank kikuyu and a mix of other Natural Areas Officer. dune weeds. A staged spraying and mulching program is needed to repair and Primary control completed resilience and strengthen the dune from Blackwater Creek to the southern end of the October 2015 Cost? protect beach. PoM 2005, Actions 5.1.1 & 6.6.3. Follow up? remnant Stage 1 will focus on the stand of surviving banksias to allow for natural vegetation regeneration of existing species Planting will be undertaken if required using available and appropriate species. Bushland adjacent to the southern side of Blackwater Creek: The 2005 Natural Areas Officer. PoM identifies this area as a site for weed control and expansion of the Primary works completed bushland. Primary weed control has been undertaken. Follow up as May 2015 at a cost of $2,374. needed. Secondary works have been An area of grass will also be sprayed and mulched to expand the undertaken. bushland and to allow for natural regeneration. Planting may be undertaken if required. Following construction of the Blackwater Creek training wall, revegetation Ongoing was undertaken o the northern side of the creek. A temporary star picket & wire fence was installed on the western edge to deter pedestrian access. Undertake fence maintenance and weed control as required. Provide safe, The dune adjacent to the shared path has four informal accesses. This Coast & Estuaries Officer beach access isn’t surprising given that there is a large car park and 8 picnic shelters to Sand ramp installed for the west of the dune. Consideration could be given to formalising one of vehicle access in 2017 at a the accesses. PoM Action 2.1.7. cost of approximately $10,000 at the access shown Depending on beach conditions at the time of beach events, SCC may on the precinct map.. assist the Surf Club with beach shaping and vehicle access.

Provide The 2005 PoM identified lack of shade and trees as ‘the most frequently’ Difficult to implement Social Infrastructure & shade trees mentioned problem in the community survey carried out in January 2004’. as ground is very Planning staff 16 The small islands of surviving ‘shade’ trees scattered through the reserve compacted and plants could be expanded. The PoM provides a list of 6 suitable tree species. are exposed to strong Action 5.1.8. winds. A Parkcare Planting will be implemented in stages. group will be needed to assist with maintenance as happened previously. Upgrade The existing playground will be removed and replaced with an All Ability, Planning is underway Social Infrastructure & social All Access playground - fully fenced and with a shade structure. Approximately Planning staff infrastructure $350,000 Half court completed May Half basketball court to be constructed north of the playground 2016. Playground completed 2018 Coastal Construct Blackwater Creek training wall and maintain sand cover. Coast & Estuaries Officer protection Provide sand nourishment to dune north of Blackwater Creek. Completed September 2016 See p 20, 21. at a cost of $722,528 Advice re failing foreshore protection at South Mollymook Coast and Estuaries Officer Grant application for detailed design. Concept Design Report received July 2016 Council has received an OEH grant to prepare a cost benefit analysis for the protections works. Other Creek name sign: to avoid further confusion between the creeks, add Natural Resources Assistant ‘Blackwater Creek’ sign to bridge railing. Completed October 2016

17 Beach Processes and Hazards

Mollymook Beach is an open-coast, ‘rocky embayed’ beach approximately 2.2 kilometres long. It’s also categorised as a ‘wave-dominated Intermediate’ beach, with waves averaging 1.4 m along the central and northern sections. Intermediate beaches may maintain an attached sand bar occasionally cut through by rips (example left photo) and then calming to the low tide terrace beach state. With the predominant wave direction from the south east, the south end rock platform and headland serve to reduce wave impact and usually assist in maintaining an attached bar in front of the surf club, creating a safer swimming area (example photo right). This may change day to day, depending on the wave conditions.

Beaches are more than a strip of sand. The ‘active beach system’ begins several kilometres offshore and extends to the limit of the storm wave run up. If the dune is higher than the run up, then assets behind the beach are protected from over topping. If the dune is lower, then over topping and flooding may occur. This occurred at Mollymook Beach during the 1970s storms. During sub division and settlement of Mollymook Beach, the frontal dune was heavily modified, reshaped and denuded of natural vegetation, especially at the southern end near the Golf Club and Surf Club. Dune vegetation catches wind-blown sand from the beach so with vegetation depleted or non-existent, the beach and dune can become vulnerable to ’sand drift’ as on shore winds carry the sand inland. The NSW coast has a relatively small tidal range of approximately 2 metres and is dominated by south to south east wind and wave direction. This pushes sand north along larger beaches and, during storms, forces sand ‘leakage’ from one beach to its next northern neighbour. Long-term beach recession, due to sediment loss, is not likely to be a significant hazard at Mollymook Beach as it is a small, ‘rocky embayed beach’ and the sand mostly remains contained within the beach compartment. However, long-term recession due to sea level rise, and increasing storm events, may be potentially significant at Mollymook Beach; perhaps up to 40 metres. East Coast Low system storms can produce waves of up to 10 metres causing major beach erosion where ‘rip heads’ and ‘storm bite’ can remove up to 25 metres of beach width during one event. This kind of extreme storm event is referred to as a design storm and is an ‘immediate’ risk. See below. 18 Mollymook Beach is one of ten beaches in Shoalhaven which are especially vulnerable to coastal hazards, including beach erosion & flooding, during storm events. Coastal hazard mapping provides a visual description of the risks associated with coastal hazards. Coastal Hazard mapping is included in the Shoalhaven Coastal Zone Management Plan 2018 and is on Council’s website. The areas most at risk at Mollymook Beach are the central section of the beach and the areas around both creek entrances. During storms, the behaviour of the creek entrances can be unpredictable; sometimes breaking out to the north and sometimes to the south. For this reason training walls have been constructed on the northern sides of Mollymoke Farm Creek and Blackwater Creek entrances. Mollymoke Farm Creek entrance a training wall was constructed in 1994, and upgraded in 2016, to stop the creek flowing north along the back of the beach, making beach access difficult and threatening the road embankment and storm water infrastructure. Blackwater Creek training wall was constructed in 2016 which helps protect the sewer line and pumping station and private properties to the north. See Pages 20 & 21.

Coastal hazard lines 2016

Coastal Hazard lines 19 Coastal Risk Management Guide, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW 2010.

Typical cross section of a sand dune showing the immediate hazard area and the associated Zone of Reduced Foundation Capacity (after Nielson et al 1992). As a result of sea level rise, the ZRFC moves landward over time as shown by the coastal hazard lines above.

Chapter G6: Coastal Management Areas, SCC Development Control Plan 2014.

5.1.1 Areas of beach erosion and/or oceanic inundation

The areas identified as being affected by beach erosion can be broken into three different levels of risk: Precinct 1 High Risk - Foreshore building exclusion areas (seaward of the 2025 ZRFC), where no new development within that part of an allotment of land is permitted, except for minor alterations to existing buildings or structures.

Precinct 2 Moderate Risk - Restricted development area (landward of Precinct 1 between the 2025 and the 2100 ZRFC), where prescribed alterations to existing buildings, demolition and erection of new replacement buildings (where existing buildings are lawful) and outbuildings, located wholly or in part within Precinct 2, may be considered.

Precinct 3 Low Risk - Sites landward of Precinct 2 (landward of 2100 ZRFC), no restriction.

20

A dune profile showing the immediate hazard area and the associated Zone of Reduced Foundation Capacity (after Nielson et al 1992). The ZRFC moves landward over time. Managing Coastal Erosion north of Blackwater Creek

Sand Nourishment In 2014 Council received 50% grant funding from the State Government to undertake dredging at Lake Conjola. In order to maximise the benefits of the dredging, Council proposed to place some of the dredged sand (about 3,000m3) on the beach at south Mollymook, north of Blackwater Creek. It has been spread, as shown in red on the map, in front of the existing dune for a distance of approximately 300 metres.

Adding sand to a beach is called beach nourishment. It reinforces the existing dune, increasing its resilience and providing added protection to public and private assets behind the beach.

The beach nourishment at south Mollymook was implemented in conjunction with the construction of a training wall on the northern side of the Blackwater Creek (see below). The combined works provide protection against coastal erosion at this location but won’t eliminate all the risks associated with coastal storm events.

These diagrams are from the Royal Haskoning Review of Environmental Factors (REF).

21 Training wall

This plan shows the location of the training wall on the northern side of Blackwater Creek. The red area is rock and the yellow area is geotextile bags filled with sand – cross sections are also shown. Both are covered with sand and not usually visible. The orange area is the southern end of the sand nourishment, shown on the map above in red.

22