In July 2025 a section at the southern end of the Long Swamp track collapsed. Photo: Marion Williams.
It is almost 10 months since severe weather destroyed a section of a popular cyclist and pedestrian track between Bermagui and its northern hamlets at Wallaga Lake.
Crown Land has now accepted the Bermagui Flora and Fauna Reserve Land Manager’s (BFFRLM) insurance claim for the damaged infrastructure which includes the track, bird hide and the carpark at its southern end.
With the help of Bega Valley Shire Council, Bermagui Community Forum has submitted plans for a dedicated bike path as part of a $2 million community project application.
Meanwhile erosion continues. After being battered by extreme weather in early July 2025, the dune system facing the sea was again exposed to the summer’s king tides. Very strong wind on 27 March caused further significant damage.
Ann France, secretary of BFFRLM, said large sections of the former track continued to collapse onto the beach.
The area remains hazardous and the surrounding environment, a unique ecosystem, is fragile. Long Swamp is a rare freshwater wetland that has never naturally interchanged with the adjacent ocean.
Cars pass very close to cyclists on the 80 km/h road. Photo: Martin Oswin.
Initially cyclists and pedestrians who regularly used the track were dismayed when they learnt the track could not be reinstated because the land is in a coastal erosion zone. Crown Lands determined that no new infrastructure would be allowed.
Ms France said the community had been supportive since. “As time has gone on people have accepted the Long Swamp area is fragile.”
She said BFFRLM was trying to find ways to compromise. For example, in response to requests from the Chamber of Commerce and regular cyclists, the northern fence that was installed after the July 2025 weather event has been repositioned closer to the damaged area, resulting in a shorter section of beach access.
News that BFFRLM’s insurance claim was going ahead was unexpected given it was initially rejected.
“We are progressing through the compensation process which applies to infrastructure only, on a ‘like for like’ basis, and does not include any repair or reinforcement of the dune system,” Ms France said. “Insurers have obtained tenders and engaged an engineering firm to assess viable options.”
She hopes the engineers will come up with a design for some form of north-south throughway, albeit limited to pedestrians.
Ms France said predicted coastal erosion data showed the futility of artificially reinforcing the natural interface between the dune and the sea.
Meanwhile, understanding that rebuilding a bicycle track in the Long Swamp area is unlikely, Bermagui Community Forum has been working on alternative cyclist access. It has proposed an eight-kilometre active transport connection between Beauty Point Road and George Street at the northern end of Bermagui town.
Bermagui Community Forum launched an online petition late last year that received 563 verified signatures, indicating a high level of community support for a viable active transport link between Bermagui and the Wallaga Lake hamlets.
Draft plan – Wallaga Lake to Bermagui bike path. The red line shows the proposed major section. Photo: Supplied.
Bermagui Community Forum member David Monro said the main section was three kilometres along the western side of Wallaga Lake Road between Fairhaven Point Way and Scenic Drive, which was a gravel road through Spotted Gum forest, plus two smaller parcels to connect it all up.
The proposed location of that main section is on a council-owned road reserve that has already been disturbed by a maintenance “track” that Essential Energy uses to maintain the electricity infrastructure.
Council provided high level costing information that the group used to put the proposal together.
“Council helped us with information, gave us costings for different types of pathways per metre, and how much we should allow for project management and surveying,” Mr Monro said.
He hopes to fund the $2 million project with grants from the Federal and NSW governments, a $100,000 contribution from council and community fundraising if required.
“It can be done in stages,” Mr Monro said. “The priority is the 80 km/h section on Wallaga Lake Road where there is no dedicated bike lane, so it is dangerous.
“It is really around community safety and providing an active transport link which is part of council’s community strategic plan.”
The proposal will go before councillors in June.
