Project update: April 14, 2025
Consultation activities undertaken to revegetate a section of the foreshore area adjacent to the McEwens Beach swimming enclosure have now been completed.
Initial consultation activities included a community planning session at McEwens Beach, an online and hard-copy survey, an online mapping tool and meetings with the McEwen’s Beach Progress Association (MBPA).
Based on the feedback received from the initial consultation, the below actions have been outlined:
- Two picnic settings will be installed next to each other on a single concrete slab on the southern side of the walkway that provides access to the swimming enclosure. The fencing will be adjusted to suit the change.
- Additional fencing to the southern side of the current planting area will be considered in the next project stage. This fencing will help to define the walkway access to the beach.
- Investigate the installation of geofabric on the new fencing to protect the planting area, subject to available funding.
During the initial consultation, the community also raised concerns about the proposal to remove coconut palms from the planting area. At the recent MBPA general meeting, additional consultation was undertaken with members to address these concerns and determine a desirable outcome for the community to finalise the scope of work for this project.
Most attendees voted for the option to cut back the coconut palms to their stumps and allow the roots to naturally disintegrate over time. This will provide additional stability to the foredune while the new plantings mature and take over this function. Selected coconut palms within the planting area will be cut back before planting activities take place.
The consultation activities and results have been summarised in the ‘Community Consultation Summary’, which can be found here.
What’s next? Orders have been placed for the propagation of the tube stock (coastal species), installation of new fencing and relocation of the picnic settings.
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If you’re interested in participating in future planting activities, select ‘Become a Volunteer’ and register your details.
