The Director
Urban Assessments 21 June 2005
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

RE-EXHIBITION OF A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Lot 2 DP 1016146 Barlings Beach, Tomakin DA 77-3-2002

Our Association sent an earlier submission which was not acknowledged. A copy is attached.

We would like to make these additional comments -

Why wasn't the Coastal Hazards Assessment exhibited with the revised development application? It is our understanding that even Council does not have a copy of the full report - only alternate pages!

In late May this year the adjoining Tomakin Beach, where Council has only just finished expensive work, was badly eroded when there were high winds in the Tasman Sea but fine, calm days on shore and only neap tides (less than 1.5m). Surfside Beach and Wharf Road in Batemans Bay also both suffered damage from those high seas.

The developers commented on drainage issues implying that a storm surge in conjunction with a 1% probability rain event would never occur. We argue the opposite. Flooding rains in our area most often accompany strong onshore winds and high seas.

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Image 1 - Tomakin Beach June 05
Image 2 - Wharf Road June 05

Even smaller rainfall events could have a serious impact on the Barlings Beach development when the catchment of Bevian Swamp is developed. The catchment is currently pasture and forest and most rain is absorbed. During the drought Bevian Swamp was almost dry for the first time since at least 1989. However, the meager rainfall we have had this year has half filled the swamp. With a developed catchment it can be expected to fill quickly with smaller rain events and remain full most of the time.

During a period of heavy rain the run-off would have to escape to sea against the height of the waves/tide or overflow into the proposed development.

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Image 3 - Bevian Swamp June 05
Image 4 - The drainage line from the swamp between the van park and the beach
Image 5 - The tiny outlet for the Bevian Swamp catchment at Barlings Beach

Drainage is already a problem for many other low lying urban areas in the Eurobodalla Shire and ratepayers now have to try to solve it (if that is possible). For example, Council's Works and Facilities papers (14 June 2005) detail problems in Myamba Parade on the northern shore of Batemans Bay, and Hanging Rock on the southern shore. Water cannot escape when sand or high tides block outflows. During high spring tides seawater flows inland up the drains. Tomakin also suffers drainage problems during heavy rain. It is not sensible to develop another area that will have the same problems.

This proposal has the potential to degrade the environmental qualities and aboriginal heritage of the site and cause long term problems for its residents and the Shire's ratepayers. For these reasons we would like to see it refused.

However, if you decide to consider conditional approval we ask that all the information requested by Council be available before a decision is made. There can be no sensible conditions on the development unless that information is available for consideration by Urban Assessments and Council.

Jenny Edwards
Secretary