Protect Wooli From Coastal Erosion
If you would like to see your work up on the walls at the show, here are your Application and Registration forms to tell you what to do. If you have questions please email Gaye at gayeshield@hotmail.com or phone Di on 02 66 497 021.
Congratulations and thanks to all those involved in getting the new camera system operational on top of Wooli’s 30m high water tower. In particular Bob Stack, Russ Stephens, Leone Coper, Dr. Shaw Mead, Pete and Janet Dunn, Al Hanson, Frank Vaarwerk (CVC) and Scott Lenton (CVC).
As you can see from these first few pictures produced by our new beach surveillance system the results are stunning as they capture Wooli’s surf and beach conditions looking north, south and out to sea.
Also looking stunning, or maybe stunned, are Russ and Al who helped Dr. Shaw Mead from eCoast Marine with the 20 ascents needed to haul 130kgs of equipment up the tower then assemble and install it.
The system developed by eCoast comprises 3 high definition cameras, a computer and custom software plus solar panels and heavy duty batteries.
It may look small peeking out between its Telstra and Optus neighbours but CCPA’s tower-cam is doing a big job.
The system is recording hourly images which are uploaded to an internet server where they are processed to give a bird’s-eye view looking straight down on the beach. This data will be analysed to produce a regular report describing and quantifying changes in the beach position.
This report, along with the beach survey data being produced by Brian Saye and his team 
are important steps in CCPA’s research programme aimed at understanding and quantifying the processes shaping our beach. This data, plus the underwater mapping which is now being planned will provide the basis for developing the Wooli Beach Protection Strategy.
We need this strategy to argue successfully against the current draft plan which is based on a handful of point-in-time aerial photographs taken over the last 70 years. Further the darft plan does not take into account the vast amount of sand in the Wooli beach system, natural cycles (eg El Nino/lLa Nina ) and the impact of human activities.
The $20,000 CCPA has invested for the implementation of tower-cam is a lot for a small community to raise but excellent value compared to other options at around $80,000. With the beach survey also being funded by CCPA, Council’s application to the State government for funding of tower-cam’s annual operating cost ($5-7,000) was an encouraging sign of reciprocation. We look forward to increasing cooperation with CVC as the substantial underwater mapping stage is undertaken.
Many of you will have seen the recent article in the Grafton daily Examiner (Monday Feb 27th).
We were dismayed at the article’s very negative attitude towards the management of Wooli’s coastal erosion issues, choosing sensationalism about Wooli falling into the sea over researched facts and the positive work CCPA, Dunecare and Clarence Valley Council are doing to prevent this happening.
In response, a letter to the Editor was sent and a comment was added to the original article.
In both these you can see we pointed out the reporter’s misrepresentation of the facts and his avoidance of not only the main focus of the Emergency Plan but also the improved condition of the beach and our research program.
Janet Dunn, CCPA Communications Team
Hope you enjoy our latest newsletter (Janet Dunn, CCPA Commuications Team)
Wooli civil engineer Bob Stack hit the heights recently when he volunteered to climb the water tower with Frank Vaarwerk, CVC Operations Manager (Water Cycle). Why, you may ask? Indeed that is what Bob was asking himself halfway up the 104-foot tower.
CCPA has been liaising with CVC for cooperation to kick off a research program into Wooli beach processes. There is little detailed reliable data available on which to base possible solutions to Wooli ‘s coastal erosion problems. Starting this data collection has been one of CCPA ‘s main tasks recently.
To do this, it ‘s necessary to monitor Wooli ‘s sand and water movements over an extended period. Placing cameras atop the water tower will record these and that ‘s where Bob came in. He and Frank identified several ideal positions for these cameras. When the cameras, computer and solar panels required to run them have been constructed by eCoast (managed by Dr. Shaw Mead), they will be installed hopefully soon.
A side benefit of Bob and Frank’s climb is that the rest of us can also now see the view from the top .
Bob deserves a huge vote of thanks from CCPA and Wooli, not only for his epic climb, but for the time and interest he has put into observing the beach, liaising on the Emergency Action Plan and writing submissions to Council on possible solutions to sand movement problems.
Another CCPA member who has been generous with his time and expertise is surveyor Brian Saye. As mentioned in the last newsletter, Brian started survey work in the new year and has reported that the initial survey has been completed. This involved a lot of time and effort and big thanks go to Brian and those who assisted him. These surveys will be updated on a quarterly basis if you can lend a hand, contact Brian on 0427-425744.
Kristin Stubbins has put in valuable work talking to Council about amendments to the Emergency Action Plan, Bruce Bird has done an interview with ABC Coffs Harbour, Leone Coper photographed Bob ‘s climb up the water tower, other members are busy organising the WAG Artshow, Len O ‘Shea continues to coordinate the Dunecare effort and Peter Dunn has been beavering away behind the scenes steering the research effort. Others too modest to be mentioned are also doing their bit to help the campaign.
CCPA Steering Committee will be meeting at noon on Sunday Feb. 26 at Len and Yvonne O ‘Shea ‘s house. Contact Len directly (0437120387) if you ‘d like to sit in on the meeting. Be quick though as space is limited. Email Pete (petedunn@bigpond.net.au) if you ‘d like a copy of the agenda.
The committee will be planning our next full CCPA meeting, probably at Easter at the Wooli Hotel/Motel. More on this later but there ‘ll be lots of new stuff to hear and discuss so please pencil it into your diary now.
From Dunecare Coordinator Len O ‘Shea: “I believe that our primary strategy is to save the dunes from further degradation, to start the process of building the dunes first and then start a program of plantings and regeneration.
My idea for the next major working bee is to identify areas where water/wave action will create “ponding†and to 1) erect sand traps to build up these areas to prevent ponding of large quantities of water, 2) block the space from the end of the traps to the dune face to stop any water movement North/South along the dune base to prevent scouring and 3) erect a series of sand bag groynes at intervals along the beach to the dune face to prevent sideways movement of water/waves to prevent further erosion.
We received a letter from the Hon. Dr. Mike Kelly AM MP dated 16/11/11 offering Wooli Dunecare Group a Community Action Grant of $5310.00. Thank you Hon. Dr. Kelly! I confirmed with CVC that we received our grant and the money is available for immediate use. I mentioned my idea of using the sandbags as an experiment to stop the erosion of the dune face and CVC did not pose any objection to this. Dave Richardson and I will coordinate with CVC to supply our required materials ASAP.
I was told that Minnie Water nursery will provide free plants to Wooli residents for dune planting. BUT… if you say that you are a Dunecare member, the cost of the plants will be debited against our CMA grant account!!!!â€
Wooli Dunecare Group will hold an Executive meeting at Wooli Bowling Club at 10.00AM on Sunday 26th Feb. All are welcome to attend.
Circle 6, 7 and 8th April on your calendar and join the fun for the second Wooli Artists Gathering Artshow. Last year, it was wonderful to see Wooli ‘s artistic talent on display. The show was a resounding success and a generous donation was made to CCPA. Express yourself in any medium, inspired by “Our Coast” art, photography, craft, mixed media and come along for a great opening night cocktail party at the Wooli Hotel/Motel. This year, prizes will go to Best of Show $150, Commended $100 and People’s Choice $100 (this one judged by visitors to the show). Details and entry forms on protectwooli.com.au, gayeshield@hotmail.com or Di on 0266 479021.
There is still stock of most sizes of Protect Wooli t-shirts. They are well-priced quality pure cotton, ideal for casual summer wear, in sizes from 4 years to XL. Proceeds to CCPA for beach protection. See Lyn (Wooli General Store), Nicki (Main Street store) or Ian (Wooli Hotel/Motel).
Future newsletters, notices and changes will be emailed automatically to those who register their email address on the website. Don ‘t forget to register on the website homepage at www.protectwooli.com.au. You can also post comments and questions there. Send newsletter contributions to janet.dunn@xtra.co.nz or CCPA,PO Box 173, Wooli, 2462.