Deconstructing Laggers Point Breakwater
When you fly over the northern NSW coast a recurring pattern emerges from the vista out the window. Large headlands protrude east into the ocean, rocky on their southern sides, they give way to great sandy bays on their northern slopes.
You can tick the names off as you fly north along the seaboard: Crescent Head, Hat Head, Scotts Head, Nambucca Heads, until you get to Point Danger and look over the border to the great sweep of Coolangatta Bay. Most of these headlands have waves, often good waves, occasionally excellent, especially in the far north.
Down on the Mid-North Coast, where the pattern first emerges, lies one of the biggest bays - Trial Bay. An irregular wave best suited to longboards and SUPs, Trial Bay is largely blocked from swell due to a man made breakwall off the tip of Laggers Point.
Built by convicts in the late-1800s, the breakwall was originally intended to extend 1,500 metres out to sea and provide a safe anchorage for ships on the Sydney to Moreton Bay convict route. After 15 years and multiple collapses the idea was abandoned, the authorities not bothering to dismantle the 200 metres of breakwall already built.
Though a fraction of the planned length, the remnant breakwall blocks almost all swell from reaching the inside sandbank at Laggers Point, which now only breaks under the biggest swells. The “what if?” questions echo loudly at Laggers Point.
What if the point was restored to its original state?
What if surfers banded together and lobbied the government into action?
What if we cared less for wavepools and more for natural waves?
Dr Neil Lazarow is a Senior Research Consultant at CSIRO, he’s a coastal sector specialist, and also a lifelong surfer. Neil has done pioneering work on the value of coastal resources, what’s known as ‘Surfonomics’, a strategy used to protect waves by quantifying their worth to the economy.
As a case study of sorts, Swellnet recently spoke to Neil Lazarow about the man-made breakwall at Laggers Point.
Aerial view of Laggers Point showing the convict-made breakwall off the northern tip (Mapcarta)
Swellnet: Recently, Los Angeles city considered removing the Long Beach breakwall now that it is no longer necessary. They employed an argument about economic benefit to justify the expense of dismantling it. Could such an argument be launched at Lagger’s Point which is also a man-made breakwall?
Neil Lazarow: OK, the first thing is to take a look at the morphology of the bay and potential impacts from the removal of the breakwall. The working assumption is that removing some or all of the breakwall is going to improve surf conditions at Laggers Point – the question is by how much?
In my head I see a sand pointbreak akin to the Pass, though with slightly more exposure to east and south swells.
Let’s assume we can recreate a blend of, say, the Pass and Crescent Head - the fickleness of Crescent but with the upper-limit wave quality of the Pass. I‘d say we’d end up with a score of 7.5 out of 10 for the quality of the wave, or 8-8.5 out of 10 if you ride anything over 9 foot. This is an important distinction in the surfonomics equation.
From the look of the aerial images, it appears as if the natural system has compensated for the breakwater over the past decades and draws some sand around the structure, but some of the sand that would naturally come around close to the coast is being pushed into deeper water.
It’s also hard to say how much the system changed over the decades that the full length breakwater was in place. But by way of comparison, the Coolangatta Bay seabed dropped 3-5 metres in some places from when the Tweed River walls were extended in the mid-60s until sand pumping started in the late-90s. If the breakwater is removed, the volumes of sand coming around the point and hugging the coast may be increased - which is good for building and replenishing banks.
However, removal of the breakwall may mean that the shoreline inside the bay will erode more rapidly and over time require remedial work. An expensive and ugly outcome.
Why would work be required if the bay is simply returning to its natural state?
It may not. However, related to the above point, it’s not clear to me how much the breakwater has altered the bay over time, and how quickly it would naturally respond if the breakwater is pulled out. A quick scan of the web and historical images shows times when there was quite a bit more sand in front of the gaol. However, this also opens up the risk that if you get a few stormy years then large volumes of sand might be quickly eroded from the beach inside the bay.
Associate Professor Ian Goodwin has done historical modelling of Trial Bay. I'll try to get some of his work on Swellnet. For now though, let's continue with the Surfonomics...
OK, to do that we must take a closer look at the potential surfing benefit to the region from creating a new surfbreak on the Mid-North Coast.
Firstly, is it likely to be less crowded elsewhere? Yes, at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning in July during school term. But probably not during holiday season. The ability to absorb a couple of hundred surfers is likely to be offset by the many more who are attracted to try out something new.
Sandbanks form deep inside Trial Bay where little swell can reach them
Secondly, what would be the benefit to the region? This would be somewhat similar to fishing in the short-medium term, but probably amplified through increased economic benefits to the region. Remember, there is no immediate benefit to the region if a Korean surfer camps at Laggers Point vs Crescent Head. But if another surf tourist is lured to Australia and the region then it’s a win for the economy.
Thirdly, what would be the impact on local surf culture? As far as I know, there's no posse of Laggers Point locals that are going to get shut out, so it'd be mostly positive I imagine.
The last thing to consider is the longer-term benefit to the region. One of the bigger challenges is about what this would mean for the image of South West Rocks as a quiet golfing and boating community
For example..?
Well, property prices would definitely increase in the longer term. There is more than likely a correlation between income, board size, and residential proximity to the beach. Older surfers ride bigger boards, have more money, and are in a lifestage where they can afford to think about relocating away from services like schools, though they’ll need other services in time.
However, Laggers doesn’t offer the commanding views of Crescent Head or parts of Byron Bay, nor is there the immediate residential proximity to the point. This may dampen growth a little, but would increase pressure on the caravan park to upgrade and maybe turn the gaol into accommodation also.
That’s not a bad thing though, is it?
No, though higher property prices may end up pushing some locals out of the market, splitting up inter-generational families where kids can’t afford to buy into town.
There’s also a serious question about whether this is the right type of growth for the region, or whether this may further stratify or segment the population. For example, how many new, non-service industry jobs are likely to be created, or will the rising tide lift all boats?
And these are the types of considerations that cross the negotiating table when boaters or fishermen state their cases?
Yes, but it depends on the location really. In regional areas, the argument is more likely to be about improving the economy through seasonal tourism: more people, staying longer, spending more. In more developed areas, the cases are less clear, simply because there are more factors and user groups to consider.
Schematic showing the planned length of the breakwall
There’s also the not insignificant matter that Laggers Point is heritage listed. Does that preclude it from being removed for surfing amenity, or just make it harder?
In terms of removing a heritage listed item: I‘m not sure about that one. There’s certainly historical examples of Aboriginal sites of importance being razed in the name of economic development. There are also lots of examples from overseas of culturally inappropriate monuments being pulled down, but I’d need to defer to the brains trust on this matter.
Also important is that, in its remnant form, the breakwall provides safer boat entry and exit than if there were no wall there.
Yes, but then boaters and surfers share the water up at Scotts Head, the Pass, and also at Currumbin. If waves presented a problem to boaters then the ramp could be safely relocated deeper into the bay. There’s also a second boat ramp at Macleay River, five kilometres away.
That’s right – and surfers could also go elsewhere, but would you want to if Laggers Point was an 8/10 break?
Complicating matters, however, is that the boat ramp inside the breakwall was upgraded through a State Government grant to make access for existing boaters safer and possibly to encourage greater use of the facility and therefore positive impacts to the local and regional economy as a result of increased boating related expenditure.
So they would’ve applied their own economic argument for fishing?
I expect that some type of regional economic analysis would have accompanied the application for grant funds. It’s common practice.
So if surfers, like fishermen and boaters, can prosecute a case for economic benefits, what can they do to lobby for removal of the breakwall, or for any other changes on the coast?
Surfers can use a whole range of strategies to engage with government on issues of concern. I attempted to document and categorise these some years ago, they were:
- Use of legal instruments
- Impact on community health
- Expert knowledge
- Partnerships
- Advocacy
- And Surfonomics, which is what we’ve been doing here.
It’s often hard to gain traction just on the issue of surf quality, and the strategies are used more effectively in combination. In regional areas such as the Mid-North Coast, decision-makers will want to know about potential social and economic benefits pretty quickly. This takes time and often incredible patience. There are some great examples of leadership from within the surfing community on these issues, through individuals and informal groups as well as the important role that Surfrider Foundation has played over the years in Australia.
There are multiple onramps for surfers to engage in the political process, and many have done so successfully, including a small number of surfing politicians, such as Ian Cohen, Peter Whish-Wilson, Peter Garrett, and Tony Abbott.
Famously, 1968 world surfing champion Fred Hemmings 1995 electoral campaign poster titled. ‘Hemmings: He Doesn’t Golf’ stands out.
Compared to the fishing community though, surfers are babes in the woods in this area. In Australia, recreational fishers have not only formed lobby groups such as Sunfish and Recfish but fishers have also successfully ventured directly into the world of politics through the establishment of parties such as The Fishing Party, the Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party, the Australian Fishing and Recreation Party, and the Outdoor Recreation Party.
It is worth noting that other outdoor recreational groups have also formed political parties including the Horse Riders Party and the Shooters Party.
Is it time for the Beach Party?
That or stay babes in the woods forever.
Comments
I think you've picked the wrong target here, South West Rocks is our colonial history, there are plenty of beaches/points to surf elsewhere.
"South West Rocks is our colonial history". Yes, though I recall no opposition when a decade back the wall was modified like a cheap, second story reno being put on top of the gaol, so let's not get too precious about it. A bit of clear-eyed reasoning is preferred, some equality too when its pointed out how many First Person sites have been destroyed.
Methinks if this argument was raised five years ago then it would've had a tadpole's chance of sprouting legs, but now that the boat ramp is in, the public purse is spent, that it'll be too easily dismissed.
Shame that, it's a beautiful bay.
Love these type of articles.
Hope someone gets the balling rolling on this.
Remove those rocks.
Can't see it happening. The most interesting thing is the point about surfers not having any lobbying group. If you look at the money spent on the high performance centre those funds could easily have been available for a wave creation project. The argument needs to be put as value for money in terms of increasing community recreational opportunities, rather than as improving a regional economy. For my money, a northern beaches project to create a reliable south swell break would bring enormous community benefit.
The Fishing Party,
the Australian Fishing and Lifestyle Party
the Australian Fishing and Recreation Party
the Outdoor Recreation Party
I remember seeing a bumper sticker on a car that said "I surf and i vote", which I thought was a joke but it's not that funny anymore.
It's impossible not to wonder what if when you look at those photos. How's the second shot, that bank is longer than Lemoore! I'd be willing to compromise some colonial history for a piece of that.
Economics? What do the local people want, first and foremost?
The idea came when local surfers contacted me after the last breakwall article, so I know what some of them want.
Kempsey Council are permanently broke and a bunch of self interested snout in the trough types.Nationals have a grip on power that has strangled any threat to their own businesses.
An unusual fact is that this Council only raises 55 % or so of its annual budget, possibly the lowest of any Council in NSW.
They rely on federal and state grants to provide services and unless the locals in power get their share of the funds nothing is going to happen.
Please understand SWR and Kempsey compete for funds but all the power resides in Kempsey.
Laggers Point can get great large waves and the most collossal wipeout of my life occurred out there , a huge south swell , the southerlies are howling off shore , it is a real challenge.
The local area is one of Australia’s poorest and it needs economic development but it is an old and persistent local argument whether tourist dollars are actually useful for the locals- often not highly educated people to be bed changers , cafe workers and the like rather than getting real,social equity through learning skilled trades in specific developments suitable for this agriculturally based area.
Anyway the area was magic to live in but the last five years have seen midweek crowds of unimaginable sizes. Hostile tourists and visitors sometimes getting uppity in line ups soon find out the locals are not always as cruisy as outsiders think they should be and with the less frequent nature of cracking swells getting into Horseshoe Bay the SWR locals are about the meanest on the mid north coast.
So yeah, nah.
The Surfonomics Lazarow peddles is bs.
Just because it was built along time ago and is now Heritage listed doesn't mean it should stay there,was a fuk up from the start with the bay inside the wall filling up with sand and stopping the boats coming in to safe anchor.So it failed from its original intention...pull it down or maybe do half and leave it a couple years and see what the effects on the bay will be.
I could get behind this. Surfers all over Australia lobbying to restore the coastal seascapes - or make them better for waves.
However, I'm mindful that I live far away from this place, and the people who do live here may not like the change from the quiet boating/golf place it is now. But if it were me...
and
#RestoreBastionPoint
Yes, I remember the unsuccessful struggle with Bastion Point. Divided the town, the politics was crude and it wasn't all that long ago but in the end boats won out.
the rocks that the breakwall is made from could be repurposed to prevent the chance of storm erosion proposed in the article.
Use the rocks to make a few backpackers hostel and get a heap of kooks surfing the south west pass with no leashes.
the type of surfing development that is implicit in this article is abhorrent. Creating new waves and promoting that to the world. Any promotion of surf zones is wrong. It leads to over crowding and we all know where that ends up.
From what I can see, South West Rocks has a sleepy surf culture, commensurate with it's inconsistent & mediocre beach breaks. More fame brings more crowds, Crescent/Byron style - and that's completely FUCKED!!! The cafes love the business, but surfers are frustrated about the ever growing crowds. It's happening everywhere!
Surfonomics might make sense to fight developers or Councils who want to ruin a break by an unsympathetic development. But lets not use surfonmics arguments to bring more surfers to our region. In the end, who really benefits from that?
Settle down dave. It's got Buckley's of getting over the line but it's nice to dream, I've spent my whole life wondering about it - and I'm one of those business owners.
DT
Extend the wall, I NEED a land based Marlin
can we first redo Collaroy point, then South Curly a few extra rocks near the pool might make it work, North Curly could have a good left, Mona vale basin, I'm sure this list could be added to. (Trail bay is nice the way it is)
Dump those rocks off Dee Why so it's not a closeout the entire length of the beach on a south swell.
Nice dream but swr was substantially different before the wall. What you see now is the result of the wall. Largely the beach cut way back in on itself as seen in very old mapping and photos while the wall was being constructed. I have a bunch about and snaps on my phone of old docs as I have a link to the area. For those familiar the beach, prior to the wall was actually cut in as far as the turnoff road starting point. What you would have had is a point that was open to only the very most northern swells and cut back in a se direction. The wall itself has placed the sand where it is today. So unlike crescent which is all rock the only chance of having a wave here would be by stopping the sand moving away...another wall along the shore.
The wall was built in the 1800s mate. Were cameras invented then. Maybe you're thinking of the patchwork modifications??
DT
Oh dear. In a nutshell.
I know a couple of blokes from swaggers. A dutch seth efreceeenn (doomed from the moment he drew breath), and the mighty toddler (yes, as sad as it seems, well as sad as it is, that's where the career ended up... blax will do that to em...). Both used to whisper about the 'secret' spot. Even the mighty MR, whispered about the rocks. Once upon a time... maybe back in 20BS, (Before Swillnut).
Science. Forensic science to be exact. If I may be.... again. Tracing the details of this latest surfee disaster, this boil over back to the source.
No doubt many swillnuts were shocked by membles recent, angry outburst in another, seemingly unconnected thread. Where an innocent, just presented a few basic, simple facts, and lo and behold, membles exploded, like a roasted swillnut in the coals, with even poor trubes copping yet another spray!!!
Then of course we recently witnessed the hell's kitchen boil over, down at the pass, where packs of angry surfees, chewing on their dribble slathered leashes, are constantly lashing out somewhat blindly... in a nutshell!!! Again?!
Which brings us to the next seemingly unconnected burst of explosive, boiling anger... a confession of blind rage so to speak!!!
Why? How? When? And now the infected swillnuts are swaggering down the coast, as hell's kitchen is well passed boiling point, and the swagger is heating everything in sight up. The ill fated, dutch seth efreceeenn dreamer(doomed from conception) and toddler will soon be attacked by hoards of angry, swarming passers by!!! Meanwhile MR has already copped an angry, explosive contagious swillnut serve, for his stupid world championship winning twinny, which restricted him to only 3 of the stupid thingy's!!?? In a nutshell.
What does the science say!!! Well, thankfully, an angry, young Shrobsdorff has managed to figure it out. The source!!! And please note the accompanying diagram. The viral red mist!!!!!
http://time.com/4838673/anger-and-partisanship-as-a-virus/
Most missed it, and only noticed, and marveled at, the brilliant, some would even say hair raising, (although some wouldn't... ) skull crunching and splintering, reflex, championship, heavy bag jab!!! In a small, innocent, swagger like village!!! Not noticing the mist!!! The anger!!! The source!!! The contagion!!! Others did, and now, through the wonders forensic science, young Shrobsdorff paints a clear cut picture!!?
Is it too late??? Its never too late!!! What's what!!! Brainwashed, swaggering swillnuts can rally against, and defy the anger, the blind rage, and fight, united against the mist!!! Form a swillnut surfee club!!! That will simultaneously thrash those useless fuckwits from them other stinkin', lousy, loser, inferior, **###ing ##**!! of ###* sites!!! Yes form a swillnut surfee club!!! The 'blind ragers'!!!?? In a nutshell!! (not to be confused with 'the roaders'... or the 'angry christian boardriders'... )
For those with a musical bent... hang in there blinder...
Its a fishing town. Safe for boaties. They have molded their life around the way it is now. Just leave them alone.
One surfer complains about "midweek crowds of unimaginable sizes"while another scorns an idea to create more waves.
#surferlogic
If it was an economic arguement then the surf spot renovations that PaulG touched on would see greater value for money. Plenty of spots that need a ledge shaved or a hole filled.
But its political. Not a in a liberallabornationalgreen thing. But in that a Beach Party if elected and holding balance of power like the Fishers shooters party do in nsw then the govt policy and purse would support Beach Party issues.
Vote 1 Surfers Party. Yes i will donate $500 to that
Creating a 'groundswell' of community support is needed for a developing a decent wave & is possible in the cities.
A wave focused design with multiple economic benefits i.e. coastal erosion protection, improved beach access, tourism (eg. sand, safe swimming, fish habitat, etc). ..may get support & discussion with open minded local fishos, divers, residents & business persons...for a stronger voice... lobbying & crowd funding.
Consultant/s provides what the 'client' wants; an idea diluted by politics & budget (possibly quicker/cheaper) 'solutions'.
eg. Next ex-navy ship sunk just off coastal hot spots.......Collaroy? Wamberal?
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/coasthotspots.htm
We have places here and all over the world to surf.Leave S.W.R. just the way it is,Im sure that's the way the locals like it!
Trial Bay Gaol, Laggers Point and the Trial Bay Gaol Camp Ground are listed in their entirety on the NSW State Heritage Register: a consequence of their very high level of cultural heritage value. Central to the significance if the place - and the reason the gaol exists - is the remnant stub of breakwater, which is constructed of local, super-hard, Smoky Cape adamellite.
Removing the breakwater would neuter the joint ... and would significantly (deleteriously) impact the broader heritage value of the locale. Such a proposal would not be supported by the bulk of the Arakoon-South West Rocks community, heritage professionals or the NSW Heritage Council, who are responsible for overseeing the management of State-listed heritage assets. The breakwater at Trial Bay is one of those special places, with a unique and unusual history, that should be left alone.
Perhaps a wave pool in the old jail might be smarter ,, it would make a great amphitheatre for the WSL circus .
If zis Russia, wake up the wall gone problems no...family gone too
I can't believe the mindset of surfers these days its just a hypothetical yet people (surfers) still can't agree and say fark yeah the potential is there for another decent wave.
It's like some of the crew down in Tassie rejecting a artificial reef proposal.
Surfing has just gone too mainstream these days.
These days Indo? Freshwater Boardriders argued against an artificial reef over 20 years ago. The small minded are always amongst us.
Speaking of hair brain ideas I see the shooters, fishers and farmers party want silencers made legal here in Vicco. Apparently the National Party supports the move!!
Removing the wall would also improve the beachbreaks down the beach by creating horseshoes in the foreshore all the way to the surf club, this would make for safer swimming, better fishing and help the surf club have a normal beachbreak rather than the brutal closeouts it has now.
Stu I enjoyed the rad angle & a good read 'n all...but!
* 'Convicts'were set free around these parts in 1842. Stop banging your head...reads fine!
* Laggers Point closer resembled Timeshare. (Sounds too weird! Ok! Read For Yourself)
Only the most exemplary prisoners of the day were invited to Harbourside Mansion.
Work hours were 36.5 hrs/wk Good Pay into Bank Accounts & draw downs for luxuries.
No bars on Cell doors + Huts had personal libraries+ Strictly no uniform Policy
'Prisoners' amuse themselves by growing beards/fishing/surfing & sporting pursuits.
Swellnetonians look at that photo! Crazy not to steal a loaf to win tickets to surfcamp!
Oh No! I'm nicked! Fair cop Gov! ...Anywhere but the Surf Camp! Typical Big Brother!
(Harbours/Marine)Edward Orpen Moriarty's long Breakwater was to block E/NE swell.
Shaping an all weather Port for Bay Class (Sailing Ships) Budget 10,000 pounds+ Gaol.
1889 Steam Drills/Massive Steam Crane/Horse Tramway. No convict labor just Tonka Toys.
Onsite engineer quarters...order anything you like.(Check out Trove Newspaper site.)
(Trove) Sat 22 May 1897 Australian Town & Country Journal(Trial Bay Prison & Breakwater)
Heritage Photo layout of Breakwater Construction...Give us a yell if you can't find it!
1903 Breakwall was a mere 20% of Finished size...blaming Sea Storms.(Site Abandoned!)
re: Breakwater was blamed for Silting of the Bay (Wharf was soon near useless)
*So the breakwater silted extending shore into the Bay... certainly not eroding shoreline!
Surfonomics is only as good as input.( Let's just say that a reclassification is overdue!)
Boardriders are swamped by Summer Surfers then in winter they pale to the Boardriders
Surfonomics must be inclusive & genuine not contrived by number of WSL stickers.
I shan't forget my blunt Griffith Uni Survey in Snapper Carpark...
(1) "Do you surf?"-YES! (2)"How often?"-LOTS! (3) "What sort of board?-NONE! (4)" See Ya!"?
Mr Lazarow more than makes up here by revealing a startling fact about Coolangatta Bay.
Dropping 3-5 metres after Tweed Breakwall Extension then corrected by Sand Bypass ?
Like What the What What! Monumental definition of a sweeping statement.
A whole 50 years of unadulterated WSR buried without a ceremony? LIKE WOW WIPEOUT.
Here goes! I'm gonna do it! Lets have a crack at Sandpumping Surfonomics. (Cowabunga!)
Tweed Bypass pumps 700,000 m3/yr @ $7.2 m/yr or total cost= $123.7m (1999-2017)
Nerang Bypass pumps 600,000 m3/yr@ $12.5m/yr (includes all Broadwater dredging)
Rainbow Dredge pumps 3,026,758 m3/season @ $13.9m/season
11,900,000 m3 @ $123.7m (Bypass over 17 years) to raise Cooly Bay from coffee-rock.
or roughly a full years Rainbow Dredging @ $56m
To Super Bank Cooly or a similar size Laggers Point with the Rainbow Dredge costs $56m.
or Level off similar sized sunken Bay! (Same price both on strict 7/day One year Contract)
[This week only! 2 for 1 Deal using Convict Labour -Weekends Free+ Flexible finish Date]
I like it! Clear as a bell!
'To Super Bank Cooly or a similar size Laggers Point with the Rainbow Dredge costs $56m.
or Level off similar sized sunken Bay! (Same price both on strict 7/day One year Contract)
[This week only! 2 for 1 Deal using Convict Labour -Weekends Free+ Flexible finish Date] '
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Cheers CryptoKnight ...Wild'as
Beach Parties are patrolled by Baby Boomer Libs. They ain't sharing with no Skegz
Call it Trojan horse surfonomics. What looks like a local SLSC is an LNP front.
At every Govt level...LNP pump your sand, steer your pet porpoise thru entire WSR
6 LNP/Gold Coast City Councillors... 3 of which make up WSR Clubbies
Vice President to acting members... Heading Sand bypass/Shark Netting advisory boards.
2 LNP/ State MP's are acting SLSQ clubbie & Vice Patron of WSR Clubbie Patrols.
2 LNP/Federal MP's are SLSA clubbies who patrol WSR from well Behind The Rock
Oz Trade/Tourism minister a member of 7 SLSQ clubs...also Surfboard supplier to HRH.
See for yourself Swellnetonians!...Surfonomics is an LNP corrupted closed shop!
How do Skegz get on board without first donating to Abbott's Heroic LNP rescue crew.
Should you fail to join or donate to LNP/SLSC's then your branded Un-Australian scum.
Election day- Million Oz Clubbies rattle tins for LNP candidates hogging Porkie Pokie Pie.
LNP/SLSC Insurance- Engineer all Beachfront to Pointbreak to Rivermouth to save pokies.
I nominate 1991-95/ GC Cr Peter Turner (KIRRA SURF'er) to head up enlightenment.
Peter continues consulting at govt level on surf matters.
Proudly encouraged my wife in modest GC Mayoral Quest...I owe him that!
I first started surfing behind the gaol wall about 40 years ago when huge swells hit the region mainly during the cyclone season. The break was hindered by the a few boulders at the end of the collapsed section of the wall. If the wave closed out you had nowhere to go but over the wall. Over the years some of us thought how easy it would be to remove these few end boulders opening up the surf break while having no or little impacts on the sand retention benefits.
The wave only breaks when the swell is big so there is little chance of it becoming another crescent head. I am all for dragging the end rocks toward the beach and creating the perfect angle for surfing.
This would be great but I think you and I and interested locals would be paying for or doing it!
Developers want big schemes, big changes leading to tons of tourists to sell to........
A better big swell break for a few might just struggle to get funding?
If you want to start a GoFundMe though I’ll contribute!
Thanx Swellnet. Good call.
Cheers mate.
I’m pretty sure old photos show the bay being deeper and the water extending all the way back to Arakoon house , which was basically waterfront.
There’d be some unhappy house owners along the bay when the foreshore receded back to its original lay.
Just the opinion of an onlooker but I’d say improving the wave and turning it into a Byron Bay style town would utterly root everything else the town has got going for it. I’m sure a lot of locals already find the eyes of travelling surfers descending on their town too frequently.
Man giveth and man taketh away.....
fuck yeah Byron is a fucking nightmare, and I speak as someone who works in it.
so good to get down to SWR and not have millions of wankers everywhere.
So you think JP Sears might be on the money?
But think about it FR, buy into SWR now while the real estate is relatively cheap.
Open a shop selling selling crystals, reshape Laggers Point in the New Pass and wait for the money to roll in.
Sure it'll be slow at first but keep an eye on the mid to long term...
I would love to contribute any ideas to this, Ihave been aware of the potential for many years,, and have dreamscaped hundreds of different locations on the east coastof australia that could so easily be renovated,,
in this case the rocks could be used to reshape this entry, theres are two or three fingers of rock south of the rockwall which are probably the same angle to the coast as lennox head,,, imagine a round bouldered lennox head turning into the pass or superbank,,,
the point is it can be done .we have a very large global population of surfers ,surfing is a multibillion dollar commercial industry that has now become overpopulated, our government take upward of 10%in .g.s.tax for every item sold in that industry,,, and so there are funds available somewhere,,
I think with a sensible approach to deconstructing Laggers point wall a happy environment could be created for all . By relocating the boulders from the wall halfway around front beach a beautiful marine environment and a perfect left -right combination could be achieved thereby satisfying fishos and surfers (with 3 great waves) . If the wall doesn’t come down then we may have to wait another 100 years for the bay to silt up so we can take off at the GAOL and get out at THE SEABREEZE (as it will be time for a beer).
Let’s start the ball rolling to return the bay to its former glory....