A section of the southern end of the Long Swamp track has collapsed. Photo: Marion Williams.
Recent wild weather transformed the sparkling blue waters of Bermagui Harbour into something resembling a mud bath for several days and left more permanent damage to the track along Long Swamp.
With 200 metres of track washed away, the track has been closed to the public, likely for good.
The Long Swamp track is on Crown land. A group of five volunteers, the Bermagui Flora and Fauna Reserve Land Manager (BFFRLM), manage it on behalf of Crown Lands. The members are appointed by the relevant minister.
BFFRLM member Ann France said Bega Valley Shire Council had barricaded the 1.2 km track at its northern and southern ends.
“Every storm event has a different consequence,” Ms France said. “This one has resulted in cliffs where vegetation has fallen away, taking the track with it. I think this is the most dramatic in my mind, having been a resident for 17 years and on the board of BFFRLM for 12 years.”
They have been informed by Crown Lands that the full length of the track will be closed indefinitely.
Ms France said that was because it was an identified coastal erosion zone and deemed unsuitable for further infrastructure, meaning the track couldn’t be rebuilt.
BFFRLM’s concern is about remediation of the vulnerable area.
After the area has been assessed by a Crown Lands expert “we can begin to remediate to save the precious wetland area and we will do this by protecting the remaining hind dunes”, Ms France said.
A section of the asphalt track near Long Swamp in Bermagui has collapsed and fallen down onto the beach. Photo: Marion Williams.
Another priority is protecting the fresh water of Long Swamp that “has a unique substrate that doesn’t allow interchange between the swamp’s fresh water and the ocean’s salt water”.
“We want to prevent the freshwater swamp from being breached by the ocean’s salt water,” she said.
The track is well used by walkers and cyclists, both locals and visitors, and is popular with birdwatchers.
Ms France said walkers could still access the beach parallel to the swamp, but cyclists had lost access.
A government spokesperson said Crown Lands could offer support and advice to the council and BFFRLM on the track but any future repair works would be subject to confirmation of feasibility and funding availability.
The Bermagui Community Forum (BCF) said it hoped a cycle and walk-friendly path could be constructed as it was important to the community of Bermagui and Wallaga Lake, and a significant tourist attraction and town asset.
It was also part of Bermagui’s history, being the former main road connecting Wallaga Lake, Tilba and Bermagui.
Ms France said the road washed away and the track was the remnant of the road.
The water in Bermagui Harbour and surrounding waterways was heavily discoloured by runoff from the Sapphire Cove development. Photo: Supplied.
BCF is also concerned at the extent of runoff from the Sapphire Cove development that coloured Bermagui’s harbour and nearby waterways a murky brown in early July.
“There has been significant environmental damage to the estuary, mangroves and harbour area at Bermagui resulting from uncontrolled runoff of topsoil and clay from recent earthworks at the Sapphire Cove property development,” BCF said.
In a statement on Friday (4 July), Emily Harrison, council’s director of community, environment and planning, said council was monitoring the situation and working closely with the developer to ensure the site was managed in accordance with their approvals.
“However, it is important to note that in cases of intense volumes of rain there is little that can be done to prevent some runoff occurring.
“Council is the regulatory authority for this situation. The developer is taking appropriate action to stabilise the site and is seeking to implement additional measures where possible,” Ms Harrison said.
Michael Lowry of Pelican Properties, the Sapphire Cove developer, said: “We have done everything we were supposed to do, but you have to understand it was a torrential downpour.”
For some residents, it is not good enough. They are calling on council to investigate the incident and make its findings public.
