Fence improves safety at Edward St beach

Walking along our 17kms of coastline is a regular and much loved Bayside activity for many residents. We encourage beach users to use formal paths and access ramps as using informal paths can pose a risk to personal safety, damages vegetation and increases the risk of further coastal erosion.

The recent repair and realignment of the fence along the Edward Street beach north of Red Bluff is aimed at improving public safety and protecting native vegetation. The recent works included realigning small sections of the fence where it meets the beach access ramps and seawall.

At high tide seawater covers the beach to the seawall in this area however accessing the existing informal track behind the wall along the cliff base is unsafe. There is clear evidence that the existing fence behind the wall has acted as a catch for cliff slips in the past.

To access the area behind the seawall users must climb the wall at one end, trample over native vegetation, climb over a large concrete drainage pipe and climb or jump down from the wall at the other end. This impacts on the vegetation which contributes to erosion and can increase the risk of rock and cliff slips.

As identified in the Red Bluff to Half Moon Bay Masterplan, the fence was extended approximately another 100m north of the seawall to deter unsafe pedestrian access up and along the base of the cliffs and to protect native vegetation.

Council is committed to providing safe access along our beaches and foreshore, while also protecting native vegetation and addressing the impacts of coastal erosion.