KINGSTON District Council will work to clear “unprecedented” levels of seagrass and sand from Maria Creek following damaging storms along the coast.
The local government body has foreshadowed major works as part of its soon-to-be-announced Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project, which council chief executive Nat Traeger said would come at significant cost to council and the community.
The severe weather has also triggered erosion damage along the coastal hot spot brought about by huge swells, high tides and gale force winds.
Elected members were updated on the situation last week following council’s decision not to make provision in it’s 2019/20 budget for the excavation of seagrass and sand from the creek’s channel.
The scope of works required under the proposed major infrastructure project is being finalised by council’s coastal engineers.
Kingston acting mayor Chris England said council must maintain focus on providing a long-term solution for Maria Creek which is “financially sustainable.”
“This can only come from what could potentially be a multi-million dollar investment to support our economic growth and viability,” Cr England said.
“We have experienced significant and unprecedented sand and seagrass accumulation at Maria Creek within the last two years.
“This has required ongoing financial contribution that is not assumed in our 10-year long-term financial plan.
“Council needs to consider its obligation to spend ratepayer money in a responsible and equitable way and a band-aid solution is no longer an affordable option.”
Short-term options for the 2019/20 fishing season have been considered, however with external funding opportunities limited, council will continue the status quo in maintaining accesses for beach launching.
Council will spend around $20,000 on the Johnson access, including replacing delineation poles which were lost in a recent storm, maintaining the entrance and rubble the track if required.
Ms Traeger acknowledged the project would come at significant cost to council and its community.
Council will hold further community engagement once the Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project is released.
It has already applied for State Government funding for additional sand bags at Wyomi and will shortly lodge a second application to support the development of a Coastal Management Strategy to inform council’s future coastal planning.
