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