South Mollymook Coastal Protection Works

As a result of additional technical engineering work being required to meet project outcomes the previously anticipated release of final design has been extended. Detailed technical engineering assessment and design for this project is however nearing completion.

Council is managing the design delivery through ongoing consultation with the NSW Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water (Formerly DPE) grant partner to ensure the required planning outcomes are appropriately met.

Council have been working with the Project Design Team to review feedback received during stage two of community consultation. Landscape Architectural design has been developed to enable an incorporation of natural and social amenity features to the coastal protection infrastructure.

Now informed by the proposed architectural inclusions, Council's appointed design consultants, Advisian, have commenced detailed engineering design activities.

The Landscape Architectural Concept Drawings are being finalised through this detailed design program, which will conclude all pre-construction components for the project. The final design is planned to be on exhibition for public comment in early 2024.

Councils’ community feedback survey for the concept design public exhibition closed on Friday 14 October. Council would like to thank the community for their participation in this consultation stage of the South Mollymook Coastal Protection Works. The feedback received has been reviewed for consideration as the project progresses into the detailed design phase.

To ensure the community knows your feedback has been heard, here are some of the key themes that came out of the consultation.

Of the 55 Community responses received, the majority of respondents were supportive of the proposed design. Comments received from all respondents noted a preference for the inclusion of green space or non-linear features in the wall to help reduce the bulk-concrete look and heat effects during summer. Additionally, all ability access and broader inclusion of varied amenity facilities were requested.

Council will be working closely with the Project Design Team to determine the appropriate mix of amenities and functionality in the final design, with the primary objective of the Coastal Protection Works to protect and retain the essential public infrastructure at South Mollymook against current and future coastal hazards. An all-ability access ramp will be provided as part of the infrastructure upgrades. The Project Team is also investigating solutions to maximise a green, natural and amenable design, particularly across the concrete bleacher section of the wall. Upgrades to the broader foreshore landscape and beach facilities, within the vicinity of the coastal protection structure, are being considered separately from these works.

We look forward to exhibiting the Final Design in early 2023 for further feedback and encourage you to subscribe to this page to receive project updates.

Council's initial engagement activities, where community feedback was received to assist with the development of the final concept design is now finalised.

Drawings and digital images (image 1, image 2) of the finalised concept design have been prepared to assist community to have a clear visual representation of the proposed development.

Council is welcoming feedback from the community, based on the supplied material, by completing of the Online Survey. Community feedback will allow Council to progress to detailed design stages for this project.

The Online Survey will be available until 5pm, Friday 14 October 2022.

Feedback on the final concept design will enable Council, in partnership with our consultant, to progress the detailed design and approval components for this project.

The public exhibition of the final design for this project is due to be scheduled late 2022.

Stage 1 of community and stakeholder consultation is now complete. Council would like to thank the community for providing feedback on the concept design proposal.

Community input received, during the consultation period through the drop-in session and via our online survey (now closed), has ensured Council are informed of the perspectives and priorities of the broader community and associated stakeholders.

The information captured is now assisting Council and our consultants to progress with design developments and assess options considering community value aspects and desired stakeholder outcomes.

Further engagement sessions will be scheduled as the design progresses and will include exhibition of the updated design proposals.

Community consultation

Council appointed coastal and marine engineering specialist consultants, Advisian, are hosting a drop-in session for the community to find out more about the design project and complete a survey to provide feedback on the Design Proposal for consideration.

This session has been scheduled to:

• provide detail on the environmental, technical, and funding considerations
• assess community support levels for the concept design and address project clarifications
• provide an opportunity for community feedback
• feedback analysis prior to design development.

You can also complete the online survey by Thursday, 14 April 2022.

Community feedback will be considered through the development of detailed designs.

Drop-in Session

Where: Mollymook Beach Surf Life Saving Club, 83 Ocean Street, Mollymook
When: Thursday, 31 March 2022
Time: 4pm to 7pm

If you have any questions or would like to request a hardcopy of the survey, please contact Council's Coastal Management Program Coordinator, Nigel Smith by email nigel.smith@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or call 0437 761 473.

In January 2022, Council commissioned the consultancy team of Advisian Pty Ltd to commence the South Mollymook Coastal Protection Work project.

This engagement will address all pre-construction components of this project, including detailed design, associated agency approvals, environmental assessment, and community and stakeholder consultation. This engagement is anticipated to take approximately 9 months. Community and stakeholder engagement will be included to ensure support throughout design development is achieved.

How can I be involved?

Initial community consultation sessions are expected to be scheduled in early-mid 2022. Further stakeholder engagement, and exhibition of the design, will be scheduled during design development and at the design finalisation stages of this project. Details will be provided once confirmed.

Council is excited to work alongside the highly experienced and professional team at Advisian to develop a design for essential coastal protection at one of the region’s most popular beaches.