The Soil Conservation Service were engaged to inspect erosion of the Riverbank between Sandy Beach and Tamworth Street and have recommended Council undertake fencing, path realignment, revegetation and bank stabilisation works.

Background

In 2018, Council engaged the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) to undertake a River Health Report on the Macquarie River to identify erosion risks. That study identified that a 200m section (DMR_R28) as having severe instability with the expectation that the next major flow event would result in further substantial bank retreat. Based on Nearmap imagery bank section DMR_R28 has retreated between 5 to 8 metres since August 2011, with the bulk of the retreat occurring between late 2021 and late 2022. Steep to near vertical banks are still present and exhibit vertically accreted sandy silt sediments above the water level.

• SCS identified a public safety risk due to proximity of path being between 7 and 10 m from the current top of bank. Other public assets (seats, shelters, BBQ, amenities, watercraft storage, electricity pole, golf frisbee nets are located within 15 to 40 m of the current top of bank).
• SCS also identified there is limited potential to establish vegetation on the bank which means without major works this bank section is likely to keep experiencing bank retreat.
• SCS has recommended fencing, path realignment, revegetation and significant bank and rehabilitation work involving bank shaping and toe protection and installation of up to 8 log deflector structures.

This project will address significant bank erosion hotspot that is creating a significant public safety risk and risk to public infrastructure. By addressing bank erosion a highly valued community asset (golf frisbee course, passive recreation area, kayak and dragon boat recreation area, walking/running/cycling trail) will be protected and be able to remain available for the residents and visitors to Dubbo.

Stage 2 will see an additional 510 metres of concrete shared path extending to the Sandy Beach car park. This will result in a concrete path linking the Sandy Beach and Tamworth Street car parks providing an all abilities access trail along a picturesque part of the river. Upgrades to the electrical connection to the Sandy Beach amenities has already occurred as well. Planting of native species will also occur and additional lighting investigated. Consultation with key stakeholders and user groups is planned for September, prior to finalisation of the plans.

Stage 1 consisted of the installation of a 260 m of concrete shared path from Tamworth Street and the installation of 6 additional solar powered LED lights. Council has planted 14 advanced Casuarinas and with assistance of Dubbo Rivercare group Inc will plant additional native plant species to assist with bank protection and to provide habitat for bush birds.