Stage 1 (Northern Area)

In June 1995 the NP&WS had completed a primary works program at Birdie Beach and wanted a volunteer coastal team to maintain the project. This was the start of Birdie /Budgewoi Beach Dunecare Inc.

Within 12 months the volunteer team were successful in receiving a grant from the Federal Government of $28,000 to restore Ocean St, Budgewoi immediate coastline and access.

During 1997 another successful grant provided the funds for further coastal restoration works to the immediate north at Weemala St.

Wyong Council were supporting the extensive projects and the Department of Land and Water Conservation became increasingly involved with the compilation of the Coastal Dune Management manual.

During 2000 Budgewoi Beach Dunecare Inc hosted the 3rd Biennial NSW Dunecare Conference at Lakes Beach where Budgewoi Beach Dunecare presented a paper on Spinifex Trials at Budgewoi. Numerous techniques in coastal restoration were trialled and monitored by three specialist study students from Newcastle University some of which appear in the Coastal Dune Management Manual.

Accessways are used to encourage pedestrian and authorised vehicle access across dunes to the beach in a manner that protects both the dunes and the adjoining vegetation. Viewing platforms are an important part of an access, helping to keep pedestrians off foredune areas when accessing the beach.

By the end of 2000, Budgewoi Beach Dunecare, via a third Federal Government grant, had designed and built Ocean St access way and Weemala St access way.

A 420m raised boardwalk was also built which linked the hind dune area and provided a 3.5Km circuit walk protecting the fragile coastal ecosystem.

Site Rehabilitation
Realignment of the foredune is critical in stabilising the landward sand drift. When this occurs in conjunction with uncontrolled pedestrians access the deterioration in the fore dune crest is further accelerated. Causing drift sand to travel landward. Once this process takes hold reversing it is difficult eg Stockton Beach North

NP&WS provided an area and water in Munmorah State Recreation Area for BBDC to propagate locally indigenous plants for both Birdie and Budgewoi Dunecare sites. This facility built by the group was in partnership with Peter Clifford of The Red Gum Forest fame. The facility operated from 1996 to 2004 producing 5,000 plants / year.

During 1999 rehabilitation works to herbicide spray infestations of bitou bush were carried out in and around Weemala St wetland. December 6 1999 a joint exercise involving 54 fire fighters from 9 brigades both RFS & NSW Fire carried out an environmental burn. Under direction of George Irwin and BBDC this successful burn resulted in braking the bitou cycle and allowed BBDC to rehabilitate the infestation with locally indigenous tube stock propagated by the group.

Stabilizing Fences

Dune stabilisation fencing at the toes of dunes and rehabilitation with native endemic plant species took place August through to October 09.

Dune stabilising fences are used to collect aeolian sand at the foredune before it blows landward. These fences need to withstand 40 knot winds without distorting, be installed adjacent to the prevailing wind and be made of synthetic cloth with a porosity of 40%. Their location on the foredune requires careful consideration.

Viewing Platforms at Ocean Street and Weemala Street

After accessways were constructed then the task of building viewing platforms was commenced.

Timber Walkway Ocean St to Weemala St

Raised Boardwalk and shared pathway linking Weemala Street to Ocean Street and returning via the beach front has been the culmination of several years of volunteer coastal rehabilitation by Budgewoi Beach Dunecare volunteers.(1996-2002) The boardwalk is 420m in length making the circuit walk 3.5KLM long.

Stage 1 (Northern Area)

Timeline