Council staff are working to excavate a pilot channel at Killick Creek in Crescent Head to relieve the impact of sand erosion.
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Work will continue throughout Thursday afternoon as tides become more favourable. This will require closure of the beach during the works.
Over the past few months a combination of tides and weather patterns have led to the creation of a sand bank at the entrance to Killick Creek.
Council staff have been monitoring the situation and made the decision on Tuesday to act as the changing beach landscape started to raise concerns over public safety.
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," Mr Fish said.
"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."
A group of locals and holidaymakers gathered at the creek on Thursday morning to watch the excavation works get underway.
Kempsey Shire Council's manager infrastructure and delivery, Dylan Reeves, said the works will take the majority of today to complete.
"Depending on the tides, we should get the work completed today, but may need to return early tomorrow morning," he told the Argus.
"The sand that is removed from the sand bank will be used to level out the dunes at the top of the beach. We are hoping to do these works minimal impact."
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.
"We're asking residents not to use the section of beach directly across from the boat ramp as this is where the majority of the work is taking place," Mr Reeves said.
