Lake Cathie business owners say they are happy that work is underway to fix the erosion issue at the foreshore, however they are dubious about how long it will last.
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Dredging works started at the Lake Cathie Reserve on Monday, May 21.
Cougar Cats Cafe owner Melony Dowton said she hopes the dredging will help bring back people to the area, however she is disappointed about the timing of the works, considering it is now approaching the cooler months.
“I think it should have been addressed a lot sooner,” she said.
Melony said she’s not an engineer but she thought there should have been some kind of stabiliser put in place, instead of just sand being used.
“It seems like it’s just a temporary solution especially if they open it to the ocean again,” she said.
Melony questioned why the sand wasn’t bagged before it was used at the foreshore.
“I’m hoping the dredging works will last this summer and several others,” she said.
“But I’m not hopeful.”
Melony said her business and others suffered over the summer Christmas holiday period.
“People would call me and ask if the lake was open,” she said.
“They wouldn’t come down because it was closed.”
Lakeside Fashions owner Wendy Dunn said the start of the dredging works is something which the whole comunity can be positive about.
She said hopefully the work will attract people back to the area.
“The erosion at the foreshore resulted in a drop-off cliff going into the water, which was terribly unsafe for children who wanted to swim,” she said.
“I’m so glad we’ll get our beach back.”
Council’s appointed contractor, National Dredging Solutions, will complete the works.
Some 21,000 cubic metres of sand will be dredged, and relocated to the edge of Foreshore Reserve to reclaim open space that has been lost to erosion in recent years.
Sand will also be relocated for beach replenishment along approximately 400 metres of the beach, fronting Illaroo Road.
In late 2017, council applied to the NSW government for approval to dredge Lake Cathie, east of Ocean Drive, and in January 2018 funding of $175,000 was secured to complete the dredging. Council also contributed $175,000 to undertake the $350,000 program of work.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council acting director Dan Croft said the current lake level is close to the normal opening trigger level but while the dredging works are underway, and for a short period afterwards, the lake needs to remain closed.
“Council will keep a close eye on the water level and be monitoring the lake closely, however if a lot of rainfall is received in the near future, dredging may need to cease, and the lake may need to be opened,” he said.
The community is still able to use the lake during dredging, however to ensure public safety, access to certain areas may be restricted. The community is asked to obey all signage and exercise caution.
“The amount of sand to be moved equates to filling around eight and a half Olympic swimming pools, so we appreciate the community’s patience and care around the site,” Mr Croft said.
