Common sense prevails! No lopping for Collingwood Beach

On Tuesday 15 November, Shoalhaven Councilors listened to more than 500 people who wrote submissions, as well as thousands who signed petitions to protect Collingwood Beach. The majority of councilors voted not to proceed with plans to lop dune vegetation along Collingwood Beach to provide views for some foreshore property owners at the expense of the environmental values and the stability of the dune. The decision was as follows: 1. Council receive the petitions on this matter for information. 2. Council thank all petitioners and people who made a submissions for their input and careful consideration of this matter. 3. In view of the petitions and submissions received, Council not adopt either of the two plans that were placed on public exhibition. 4. In view of the submissions received and position of relevant Government agencies, Council engage NGH and a coastal expert to review the draft management plan and current approach and to work with and gain endorsement of, key government agencies. a. The new revised approach should reflect the new Coastal Management Act hierarchy of management objectives established in section 10.3 of the Act. A further report to council would follow this review. b. As part of the review a reasonable balance (as assessed by the consultant) between appropriate vegetation and the vista of Jervis Bay from the cycle way be considered. c. Councilors be invited to participate with the consultant in a workshop in order to better understand the dunal environment, and in so doing address the concerns raised by the community in their submissions. d. That a report be provided to Council in relation to the draft vegetation management plan for Collingwood Beach by July 2017 e. In its consideration Council consider including a revegetation plan for the dune and a strong policy that responds to vandalism