Reviewing feedback

Council is co-funding design works for Mackerel Beach Wharf as part of the state government’s NSW Boating Now program. The scheme supports initiatives that enhance the boating experience in NSW, including the delivery of boating infrastructure across NSW waterways.

The wharf upgrade aims to meet current engineering standards and improve accessibility for users and the local community.

We have met with local residents throughout development of the concept design, and have asked the wider community for any additional feedback.

Comments have now closed and we are reviewing all feedback received.

All comments in their entirety are made publicly available in the Community Engagement Report. Personal identifying information, and content which is discriminatory, hateful or which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.

  • Key features of the proposed upgrade include:

    • moving the wharf back to the area where it slopes to the wharf head
    • extending the wharf by approximately 35m to approximately 105m total length to provide access at all tidal times for all users that complies with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1992
    • providing a dedicated bin storage area.

The concept design has taken a number of environmental impacts into consideration including:

  • short‐term impacts to water quality during the works
  • loss of public access during the works area
  • short‐term noise and vibration impacts associated primarily with the piling works
  • loss of or damage to seagrasses
  • risk of dislodgement and dispersal of the aquatic pest Caulerpa taxifolia
  • short‐term impacts to biodiversity, particularly White’s Seahorse, due to noise and localised loss of habitat and water quality impacts

We have engaged a local ecologist to provide advice and a report regarding ecological impacts on the site. These recommendations will be fed into our Review of Environmental Factors (REF).

The most significant environmental impacts from future construction would be damage to the Posidonia Grass (seagrass) and White Seahorses.

To mitigate risks to the environment, specialised dive teams will relocate all seahorses before any demolition works were to commence.

Barge work will also be undertaken to minimise any potential damage to seagrass.

Mitigation measures may include:

  • working only in high tides
  • no anchors or spuds to be used to hold barges in place.
  • no extended period of mooring barges in the same location (such that seagrass is deprived of sunlight)
  • offsetting seagrass away from the new structure.

Image gallery

View the 3D models pictured below - click on an image to enlarge.