Council statement: coastal erosion

Published on 12 August 2024

Large seas and swells have impacted our region’s coastline recently leaving some residents concerned about the future of their properties.

Councils in NSW are not obligated to protect private land from coastal erosion. The responsibility largely falls with the property owner.

For the MidCoast, suitable management options are outlined in historic Coastal Zone Management Plans and are being developed in Coastal Management Programs.

In the majority of cases throughout NSW, subdivision and construction in areas prone to coastal erosion occurred well before the risk of sea level rise and coastal erosion issues were known about, understood and quantified.

In the Jimmys Beach case MidCoast Council has conducted sand renourishment along that stretch for some time in accordance with the Jimmys Beach Coastal Zone Management Plan. The primary purpose being to protect publicly owned infrastructure being impacted and not as a result of the homes located on the peninsula.

Council will continue implementing the Coastal Zone Management Plan for the beach until management options are reconsidered as part of a new Coastal Management Program which Council is currently progressing. However, this does not guarantee that the area will be protected from future erosion events.

As the most recent event demonstrated, conditions vary as do the impacts.

Council understands the future coastal hazards and associated risks in relation to coastal erosion and inundation at Jimmys Beach. These are documented within the Jimmies Beach CZMP and will be updated through a probabilistic hazard assessment as part of the new Coastal Management Program which Council is currently progressing.

To view Council documents in relation to coastal management click here https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Community/Our-environment/Our-coasts-and-rivers/Coastal-management