Times have changed, that’s for sure. Environmental regulations prevent moving rocks from the beach without a permit from the Department of Environment and Science.
That wasn’t the case in the 1970s when bulldozers were used to clear rocks from Nielson Park Beach, as this photo shows.
Reader Gav Hunter commented: “This was done in the mid 70s, I remember it well. We used to climb all over the machinery after they left for the day. It was around the time they upgraded all the sewerage works. All the machinery was down there for that and I reckon they decided to create the groin as a bonus.”
Judith Hopwood said: “They dozed the pool in front of where the turtle park is now. Children would love that today.”
The Department says rocky shores are important for animals and marine life.
“As well as providing homes for many animals, rocky shores are a productive food source and an important nursery area for many fish and crustacean species,” its website says.
“This habitat also provides lots of food for fish. The commercially important fish found around rocky shores include blackfish, yellowfin bream, snapper, tarwhine, trevally, yellowtail and sampson fish.”
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