UPDATE: The Bargara Shoreline Erosion Management Plan community information session, has been rescheduled for Tuesday 27 April from 4 pm – 6 pm at the Bundaberg Surf Lifesaving Club, Bargara.
EARLIER: Protecting the Bargara shoreline from erosion will be the focus of a series of upcoming community meetings where residents can share their memories.
The meetings mark the start of the Bargara Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) which encompasses 2km of foreshore from The Point, near Christsen Park, to the Bargara Sports Complex, just north of Jayteens Park.
Bundaberg Regional Council Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said with help from locals Council would develop the plan to manage erosion on the Bargara foreshore.
“We want to understand how the community interacts with and values these areas and how long-term residents have noticed it changing over the years,” Cr Honor said.
“That will help us to understand the underlying coastal processes contributing to the erosion problems and how the area is being used so we can determine options to manage coastal erosion.”
He said the SEMP was part of the next stage in the broader Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy which was developed along the entire region’s coastline and identifies adaptation options to reduce risks associated with coastal hazards.
To improve the resiliency of the Bargara shoreline Cr Honor said it was essential to have involvement from the community.
“There are lots of ways to get involved with the Bargara SEMP,” he said.
“Online surveys are available which invite residents to tell us why the Bargara shoreline is important to them and also their knowledge of how the coast has changed over time.
“Three community information sessions will also be held throughout the project.”
The first open community workshop session will be held at the Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club at 2 Fred Courtice Avenue, Bargara between 4 and 6 pm on Wednesday March 31.
“Residents can pop into the workshop session any time during this timeframe and speak with our project team to share their understanding of the coastal processes and contribute ideas on possible options to manage erosion along the Bargara shoreline.”
For more information or to register for regular project updates head to the Our Bundaberg Region project page.
