Northern Beaches Council is inviting the community to have their say in the development of a strategy to manage the entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon to reduce the risk of flooding. 

Mayor Regan said that while Council engineers and catchment experts actively manage the entrance day to day, it was time to involve the community in the development of a long-term strategy.

He said this was the first stage in the process, investigating the options available and engaging with the community. 

“Managing the entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon to avoid flooding is a complex operation,” Mayor Regan said.  

“As a short term solution, we regularly use machines to open the lagoon to the ocean when we have the right combination of rain, lagoon levels, and ocean conditions.

“Open it at the wrong time and it is likely to close back up quite quickly and even cause additional sand build up, making it more difficult to open the next time.

“Every four years or so we also undertake a much more extensive excavation to clear thousands of cubic metres of sand that has built up in and near the lagoon entrance.

“Longer term we’d like to hear if the community support other options such as sand pumping, creating an ebb-tide channel and the installation of low flow pipes.

“There is no easy solution and each option has its own pros and cons to consider in relation to cost, environmental impacts and community support.

“This is the first stage only and we look forward to hearing from our community as we continue investigating the options, considering the science and ultimately developing a strategy which will reduce the risk of flooding for our community.”

Feedback will inform the development of the draft Strategy which will include all aspects of entrance management, including emergency response arrangements, clearance work improvements and the long-term costs and sustainability of entrance specific options.

Council will seek further community feedback on the draft Strategy once developed.  

Community can view the online options paper and register for briefings with Council staff throughout February and March. Feedback is open until Sunday 28 March 2021.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 8495 6943