23 February, 2007
The General Manager
Eurobodalla Shire Council
PO Box 99
MORUYA NSW 2537
Subject: Nature Coast Walk
Coastwatchers are promoting a Nature Coast Walk along the entire Eurobodalla coastline - to showcase our beaches, heritage, communities, amenities, Batemans Marine Park and coastal National Parks (Murramarang & Eurobodalla). Many of the sections are already part of Council's planned or constructed shared pedestrian/cycleways. This walk will benefit nature-based tourism and future generations of Eurobodalla residents.
We envisage Eurodalla's Nature Coast Walk in 5 coastal sections:
The NSW Government's South Coast Regional Strategy (Feb-07) states "In the Eurobodalla area, 14 coastal lakes, bays, rivers, and estuaries have been identified as having significant environmental values." These include the Clyde and Moruya Riversides which are featured in this submission.
The Moruya Structure Plan gives us an opportunity to congratulate Council on the recent opening of Riverside Park. The existing boardwalk/pathway at historic Quarry Park provides another riverside link in this Nature Coast Walk. We realise other initiatives are underway, but encourage Council to draw up long-term plans for continuous riverside walks linking Moruya Bridge to both northern and southern headlands and surf beaches.
The Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan covers the northern section running from the southern boundary of Murramarang National Park south to Malua Bay. Our promotion of this Nature Coast Walk builds on key Council initiatives such as the newly paved Batemans Bay CBD foreshore pathway adjacent to the Bay Bridge.
Batemans Bay is our regional population growth centre and gateway
for Nature Coast tourism.
This long-term Structure Plan provides our generation's Council
with a unique opportunity to display leadership for the future
by facilitating additional foreshore space and a continuous coastal
pathway experience.
Specific recommendations include:
1. Map 24: Surfside - North Batemans Bay
(a) Restore the washed-away public-access riverside foreshore in front of Easts Caravan Park, by negotiating adjustment of the boundary.
(b) Include construction of a foreshore-side walkway in reclamation work on the Wharf Road corner - to re-connect Surfside beach to the foreshore near Bridge (as described above).
(c) Ensure deliberations on new Warf Road DAs 1067 & 455249 (Jan-2007) take full account of Climate Change, maximise public space, and do not permanently limit public foreshore access.
2. Map 25: Batemans Bay Urban Structure
(a) Plan a walkway/boardwalk on Western side of the Highway, alongside the mangroves, to connect the new path under the Bridge to the Bowling Club, Swimming Pool and Mackay Park areas.
(b) Investigate diverting the section of Beach Road (currently separating Albert Ryan Park from the foreshore), over to the cliff face to facilitate larger shoreline reserve next to pathway (this long-term plan obviously requires lengthy negotiation and State Government support).
(c) Ensure Ariadne's new 240-berth $60M Marina incorporates walk-through public access (the current public pathway is on the roadside).
(d) Connect the Marina to the public boat-ramp, amenities at Hanging Rock and Caseys Beach via a public foreshore pathway. Most of the foreshore is currently 'locked up' within the Coach-house/Marina Van Park/Resort. Current the only public pathway is immediately adjacent to traffic on Beach Road, and then continues inland
3. Draft long-term plan for foreshore walkway - from Caseys Beach to Malua Bay
Public access and foreshore space is noticeably deficient in key stretches of the Greater Batemans Bay coastline. Reference should be made in this Structure Plan to the long-term desire to create sea-side public walkways around headlands linking beaches along this beautiful section of the Nature Coast Walk.
Jenny Edwards, Secretary
Per Mike Thompson, Committee Member