AT a cost of $40,000, work to replace sand eroded from Southend’s foreshore is now complete allowing the beach to be reopened.
The beach was closed to the public following a strong storm in July which caused major erosion of the frontal dune at Southend.
Undertaken by Wattle Range Council, with the support of local contractor Bowman Earthmoving, the sand replacement work was funded by the Coastal Protection Board.
Mayor Des Noll said: “It is wonderful that we have been able to address this issue prior to the busy summer period.
“These beaches are so important to both the community and tourists, so we are pleased to be able to undertake these works.
“I would like to thank the Coastal Protection Board for allocating funds to allow Council to address this issue for the community.
“We acknowledge that this is only a short term solution and that we will require further decisions and a significant financial commitment to address the longer term issues of coastal erosion.
“In the interim, we are pleased that we have been able to reinstate this small but important section of our coastline,” he added.
The next step will be for Council to discuss longer term solutions for coastal erosion with the communities of both Southend and Beachport that were recommended in a recent study of our local coastal environment.
