Collingwood Beach Dune Vegetation Management

In June 2024 Council formally finalised the grant project with NSW Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) that enabled staged dune regeneration and beach access management works to be delivered since mid-2022.

The works completed under this project achieved significant positive outcomes for natural area preservation, protection and enhancement, through managed investment in the environmental protection and resilience of Collingwood Beach dune area.

Collingwood Beach Revegetation Project - Stage 2

Council has completed Stage 1 of the Collingwood Beach Revegetation Project. Stage 2 of the project has now commenced which includes continuing beach access fencing and further revegetation works.

This stage of works will aim to further:

• Reduce impacts on biodiversity from land misuse and feral plant and animal species.
• Improve protection of natural areas through reducing informal access to limit disturbance on vegetation.
• Improve public amenity and public safety through greater beach access delineation.

This ongoing management of the natural dune area at Collingwood Beach will continue to increase the resilience of the beach to coastal erosion, provide enhancement to local biodiversity and improve public amenity.

Shoalhaven City Council has received a Coastal and Estuary Grant to undertake dune restoration works at Collingwood Beach. Collingwood Beach is identified as one of 10 beaches at greatest risk of coastal erosion. The revegetation project aims to increase dune resilience by enhancing vegetation diversity.

This project follows on from a two-year trial at Collingwood Beach that confirmed the importance of vegetation species diversity to maintain dune resilience.

View the PowerPoint Presentation to find out more.

Shoalhaven City Council has become aware of ongoing tree and vegetation vandalism at Collingwood Beach. Council treats tree and vegetation vandalism seriously and is currently investigating this issue. Any assistance from members of the public would be greatly appreciated and rewards are on offer where the information provided may lead to identification of the individuals responsible.

Vegetation growing on dune systems protects nearby infrastructure from erosion and provides crucial habitat for many endemic animal species. Coastal dunes provide very important protection against coastal hazards such as wind erosion, excessive wave action and tidal overruns during storm events.

Council hopes that residents will take an active approach in understanding the need for coastal areas to remain in a natural vegetated condition and assist Council to protect not only the natural environment, but in the longer-term, people’s homes and properties.

The community are reminded to report tree and vegetation vandalism to Council in accordance with the Shoalhaven Tree and Vegetation Vandalism Prevention Policy.

Reports of vandalism can be made online, by phone or in person.

Open article in full to see all images.

On 18 August 2020 Shoalhaven City Council completed additional pruning at Trial Site 2 to further increase the size of selected view windows. Selective pruning was undertaken and included height reduction and side pruning from 35 percent to a maximum of 50 percent of any single shrub. Additional works included the removal of all Banksia seedlings/suckers from Trial site 2 and 60 percent removal from Trial Site 1. These works were carried out in accordance with Council’s Second Addendum Review of Environmental Factors. An independent Arborist supervised the works and submitted an Arboricultural Report which is included in the Document Library on this page.

At Shoalhaven City Council's 8 September Strategy & Assets Committee meeting, it was agreed to allocate funds to complete the remaining actions in the Collingwood Beach Dune Vegetation Action Plan. The two-year trial period is due to be completed in December 2020.

As part of the Collingwood Beach Dune Vegetation Two-Year Trial Action Plan, Banksia species were initially trimmed in September 2018 to provide filtered views of the Bay in an attempt to deter vandalism.

Additional Trimming occurred on 12 December 2019 which consisted of selective height reduction and pruning of sides that impede the view windows. Pruning of shrubs did not exceed 25 per cent of the crown mass. To view all of the pruning images visit the Before and After Pruning Photos Library on this web page.

Pruning also occurred on 18 August 2020. Photos will be published soon.

31 July 2019

Shoalhaven City Council has developed a Draft Shoalhaven Tree and Vegetation Vandalism Prevention Policy which aims to reduce and prevent the incidence of continued vandalism to trees and vegetation throughout the Shoalhaven.

The draft Policy has been developed in light of persistent tree and vegetation vandalism on Council owned or managed public reserves throughout the Local Government Area.

Council invites members of the community to view the draft Policy online and provide feedback by 28 August 2019. Alternatively, copies of the draft Policy are available for viewing at Council’s Nowra or Ulladulla Administration Buildings.

Submissions can be made by:

• Completing the online feedback form
• Email to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au quoting reference number 61751E
• Mail to PO Box 42 NOWRA NSW 2541 quoting reference number 61751E

All submissions must be received by 5.00pm Wednesday 28 August 2019.

Find out more and provide feedback at www.getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/tree-and-vegetation-vandalism-prevention

March 2019

A viewing platform was installed at the Berry Street beach access in accordance with the Collingwood Beach Dune Vegetation Two-Year Trial Action Plan.

View images of the platform...

January 2019

A bench seat has been installed at the western end of Susan Street beach access, adjacent to the pathway with the end splayed - as per the Collingwood Beach Dune Vegetation Two-Year Trial Action Plan.

Click through to see the new bench...