Work will begin this week to build a 60-metre temporary rock wall to protect Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park infrastructure from localised erosion.
The infrastructure currently in danger are a sewer pit, pump station and electrical circuit board located on the seaward side of the 4th Avenue amenity building, as well as the ablution facilities within the building itself.
The rocks will replace a shorter sandbag wall built earlier this year. That wall ended up 25m shorter than expected due to the additional costs associated with a change in sandbags.
Executive Manager of the Tweed Coast Holiday Park Trust, Richard Adams, said the infrastructure services a significant portion of the holiday park and its loss would mean the holiday park may not comply with the Local Government Act Regulations regarding operation of a holiday park.
“Since the sand bag wall was finished, a noticeable erosion cell has developed following the alignment of the northern return section of the sand bag wall,” Mr Adams said.
“This cell continues to move landward and is now at the stage that we need to take action to ensure essential park infrastructure is protected so as to allow the holiday park to continue to operate, particularly over the busy Christmas season.”
Rock construction was chosen over sandbags as it is a more cost-effective and expedient solution, allowing works to take place during the current period of favourable low tides.
“This situation demands an emergency response which can’t be achieved using sandbags,” Mr Adams said.
“The option considered most effective and best value for money is to construct a temporary erosion wall out of rock for a length of approximately 60m and following the alignment of the current sand bag wall.
“By using rocks, the works will be completed before Christmas, when the high tides will return,” he said.
“It is important to note that these works are only temporary, to provide necessary protection until the long term erosion solution is implemented. It is envisaged that these works, unlike sand bags, will be able to be incorporated into the long term solution.”
The Trust will fund the temporary rock wall, at a cost of around $152,000.
The Part V application for the works as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act has been approved by Council following a request from the Trust.
Tweed Shire Council has been engaged to manage the works, which will be similar to those recently undertaken south of the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club.
Work to construct the wall is due to start this week.
