AGM & INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS
The CCPA Annual General Meeting was held at the Wooli Bowling Club on the 18th January, 2026 attended by 18 members with a further 18 apologies. The executive and steering committees were returned unchanged with the addition of Donna Sheehy to the steering committee. Donna and her husband Huw have come to live in Wooli and are keen to contribute. Donna is a geologist with a long career in mining and management with historical expertise in the geology of the northern rivers generally and the Clarence particularly. Donna is keen to contribute her expertise particularly in the areas of beach sand maintenance and riverine erosion. Welcome to CCPA Donna & Huw.
THE NEXT BEACH SCRAPING
In late October 2025, CCPA received an update from Clarence Valley Council (CVC) regarding the progress with the planning stages for another round of beach scraping. At that time, CVC indicated that a grant had been received and the majority of approvals were in place to enable works, however the timing, location and extent of works would depend upon the volume and location of sand within the intertidal zone, and identifying the areas of beach in need of sand nourishment.
Working in collaboration with NSW Department of Climate Change,Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW NCCEEW) investigatory LiDAR survey work was carried out on the 3rd November 2025. Correspondence received from CVC post the survey was emailed to members and is contained below for the benefit of new members and those wanting to refresh their knowledge.
Content of Email received from Uriah Makings, CVC Senior Coast & Estuary Officer date 1st December 2025.
Based on a LiDAR survey conducted 3 November 2025, analysis indicates that the entire length of Wooli Beach adjacent to the village is above the storm demand and zone of reduced foundation capacity (ZRFC) volume threshold recommended in the Wooli Beach Management Strategy (BMS).The BMS aims to maintain a minimum of 195m3/m for a 1 in 50-year ARI storm demand; but ideally the BMS recommends 265m3/m to also maintain stable foundations (additional 70m3 required to maintain the ZRFC in addition to the storm demand volume).For the purposes of the analysis the beach was split into 7 zones to align as best as is possible with both beach alignment and seaward building alignment. The LiDAR data was then used to calculate the total volume of beach/dune sand above 0mAHD and divided by the length of the zone to calculate the m3/m. The calculated volumes are presented in the figure below. As you can see, despite recent erosion events, all zones have over the 265m3/m preferred volume.Survey results also indicate that the beach width between toe of dune to mean sea level is still very narrow. The scrape zone (1m to -0.6m AHD) is still steep and narrow in many locations; and terminates with a deep gutter, not ideal for scraping conditions due to concerns with onshore sand replenishment and machine safety. Based on historic trends, the next few months should see further recovery of the intertidal profile to a sufficient volume and width of sand within the scrape zone by April-May (the preferred scrape timing identified in the BMS).Regarding approvals, all approvals are now in place with approval recently received from Birrigan Gargle LALC. However, the Crown Lands licence that would facilitate the works expires in March so another will be applied for in the near future.In summary, survey results indicate that sand volumes are above the trigger thresholds identified in the BMS, the beach is currently too narrow and steep with insufficient sand within the scrape zone to facilitate a scraping campaign, however, sand should continue to recover over the next few months. The beach will be re-surveyed in the new year with the aim of undertaking a scrape April-May (pending conditions and approvals).
So in summary, a further beach scraping is planned early in 2026 when conditions are suitable and if needed, the licence is renewed from Crown lands. Discussions are currently underway with CVC to ascertain the next steps, the timing of a follow-up LiDAR survey and volumetric sand analysis to narrow down a time frame for works.
The image below provided by Uriah Makings post the LiDAR survey clarifies the “7 zones” described in his correspondence. This better explains graphically the volumetric quantities measured within those 7 zones.
A 195m3/m dune volume is calculated to be able to withstand a 50 year storm event, with 265m3/m aimed for for purposes of foundation stability. Pleasingly all of Wooli beach has sand in excess of 195m3/m with zones 1, 2 and 3 comfortably above that level. The most at risk are zones 4 and 6 and from discussions had with Uriah Makings in late January, that is where the beach scraping will be concentrated. In response to queries from residents as to why the beachfront north of the tennis courts, (defined as zone 1 & 2), has not been included in beach scraping events to date, the answer lies in the results of the previous and current surveys, this being that the volume of sand in those zones exceeds 300 m3/m, and is at lesser risk than those located to the southern end of the village. This also aligns with the Wooli Beach Management Strategy recommendations. In line with those recommendations Clarence Valley Council is aiming to protect all of the dune in a cost effective and targeted manner. CCPA supports this approach.
WHO PAYS FOR THE BEACH SCRAPING
Paying for the beach scraping is through joint community collaboration with local and state government bodies. In past events, $ 25 000.00 has been raised by Wooli community residents funding & donation, matched by local government contribution of $ 25 000.00 and state government contribution of $ 50 000.00. (Total $ 100 000.00) It is anticipated that this structured arrangement will continue with Wooli relying on Clarence Valley Council to advocate and apply for State Government grant funding. There will be a need for financial contribution from the community on an ongoing basis.
SAND TRAPPING
Given that the extent of the next beach scraping will likely focus on zones 4 & 6 (conditional upon results of follow up LiDAR survey work), the decision was made in late January to make and erect sand traps in zones 1 & 2.
CCPA & DuneCare volunteers made up sand traps and erected them over the Australia Day 2026 long weekend. Those traps have benefited from strong windy conditions over the past few weeks. Many of the sand traps are now partly submerged. This will help to bolster those dunes which had partly recovered from storm events of 2025. It may be considered appropriate to repeat this exercise, erecting additional sand traps above to consolidate on the build up of sand in those already erected traps. While not to be relied upon for long term stabilisation of the dune, planting ground covers & coastal vegetation helps to reduce the amount of sand blown away. Wooli DuneCare Co-Ordinator and long term Wooli resident, Sharon Nelson will progressively monitor the progress of sand build up in the traps and provide feedback as to the next steps in that process.
VOLUNTEERING AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME
Sand trapping and planting out rely on volunteers within our community. The timing of when these tasks are carried out generally relies on individuals or families being interested and available to contribute. It is not always possible for all of us to gather at the same time, but for 2 or 3 people working together, a single hour spent making up sand traps will help in our preparedness for erecting traps in response to any erosion event. There is plenty of materials, timber stakes, shade cloth and cleats available. Co-ordination of this is through Sharon Nelson, and is reliant on key-holders of the shed where materials are stored. Sharon’s contact details can be made available to you by emailing protectwooli@gmail.com so the timing of your contribution can be teed up. Volunteers will be asked to join DuneCare/Landcare for insurance purposes which is very straightforward process.
RIVERINE WORKS & NEW SUB-COMMITTEE
There is continuing work along the Wooli Wooli River to protect the bank from erosion by users creating multiple entry points and parking close to the bank. Council have fenced off certain areas of degraded and eroded riverbank to exclude cars and the Dunecare group have followed up and planting out those areas with native trees for rehabilitation. There is more to be done to advocate for the mitigation of the effects of riverine erosion. Donna Sheehy, our newest CCPA member has volunteered to head a new CCPA sub-committee to monitor the estuary with a view to advising on remedial works and management, to support CCPA in further approaches to local council, NSW marine parks and fisheries.
MONITORING OF SAND VOLUMES & NEW SUB- COMMITTEE
In the early to mid 2010’s CCPA proactively engaged with land surveying consultants to measure the volume of sand on the beach. This was done in a traditional manner whereas with the rapid advancement of technology, surveys are now carried out using Light Detection and Radar (LiDAR) technology. The latest survey conducted through Clarence Valley Council was carried out using LiDAR technology.
CCPA member Anthony McClure (also with a mining and management background) has agreed to head a new CCPA sub-committee to discuss means, methods & timing of survey work and to ascertain how the results/data from current & future surveys held by council can be shared with CCPA. The aim is to have shared access to data to augment valuable existing archival information relating to sand volumes; to provide continuity of records; and to contribute to conversations regarding future timing, measuring methods and recording of survey work. Depending on his advice, liaison with and recommendations will be made to CVC.
CCPA’s liaison with Clarence Valley Council’s Senior Coast and Estuary Officer Uriah Makings has been supportive and engaging throughout his time with council, and we look forward to a collaborative experience going forward.
WILD ABOUT WOOLI ARTSHOW – CCPA FUND-RAISER EVENT – EASTER LONG WEEKEND.
Preparations for The Wild About Wooli ArtShow are well underway, with Opening Night this year on Friday 3rd April at 6.30pm at the Wooli Community Hall. The exhibition continues over the Easter long weekend, Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th & Monday 6th April from 10.00am to 3.00pm. All works are for sale. This is a CCPA fundraiser. 20% of the proceeds of sales help fund CCPA activities in advocating for the mitigation of the effects of coastal & riverine erosion. This is a volunteer run event celebrating local and visiting artists alike and an opportunity to communicate the important role CCPA plays in our community. For budding artists, links to Entry Forms are contained in a previous website post. For details of the event refer to the link to the Invitation to the Public – 2026 below. Looking forward to catching up at the event.
Invitation to the Public- 2026
PHOTOS OF SAND TRAPS IN ZONE 1 & 2
Have your say!