Excavation will take place on Thursday at the entrance to Killick Creek, at Crescent Head, to cut a pilot channel to relieve the impact of sand erosion.
Kempsey Shire Council have an excavator at Killick Creek and plan to commence works on Thursday morning, with work to continue throughout the afternoon as tides become more favourable. This will require closure of the beach.
Over the past few months a combination of tides and weather patterns have led to creation of a sand bank at the entrance to Killick Creek. Council staff have been monitoring this and in recent days have become increasingly concerned.
The entrance channel has moved rapidly to the north-west toward the dune and the continued erosion that the channel is causing poses a number of risks:
- The new path of the water threatens the dune system integrity, which is important for the protection of Crescent Head, in particular the Killick Creek foreshore.
- Public infrastructure is under threat, including the pedestrian bridge over Killick Creek, should erosion occur around the foundations of that structure.
- Public safety is of concern for those seeking to access the beach via the footbridge as the normal access from the bridge is now compromised due to the erosion.
Council’s Director Operations and Planning, Robert Fish, said the excavator would cut a pilot channel where the outlet normally flows to divert water away from the dunes.
“Our inspections on Thursday reported that there had been further dune erosion overnight and it is estimated that if the current rate continues, it will be a matter of days before the footbridge is impacted,” said Mr Fish.
“We have worked with the relevant government agencies and undertaken urgent environmental assessments this week, and we are acutely aware that school holidays commence Friday afternoon. As such Thursday is the preferred day to do any works.”
“We understand there is never a good time to close the beach, so we thank the community for their understanding.”
Council will carry out the excavation works on Thursday then monitor the response. Some further works may be necessary as the area is expected to remain dynamic in terms of sand movement.
Council have urged the community and beach users to remain clear of the works for their own safety and to ensure completion. This will include the need for beach users to take extra care over the coming days as it will take a while for the area to fully stabilise.
The entrance to Killick Creek on Wednesday 23 September 2020
