About 60 people met at Lewis Island, Narooma on Friday afternoon stating their commitment to save the sand structure that is being undermined by erosion.
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Riverview Road resident Chris Young called the meeting due to his grave concerns that Lewis Island could soon be eroded away to nothing.
Attending the meeting were Eurobodalla Shire councillors Phil Constable and Pat McGinlay, who promised to take the issue to the next council meeting calling for action to save the island.
Clr Constable said the good news was that the a dredge based on the Far South Coast could be used to shore up the island, digging a new channel and dumping sand on the island.
“Let’s work all through these hurdles and dredging is the go and some form of stabilisation to maintain it into the future,” he said.
Long-term resident Paul Bourke told those assembled the island was formed in part by previous dumping of sand of dredging operations, but that now it was a challenge to get all the government departments and agencies to sign off of any works.
These included the council, the Department of Lands, Maritime Services, Marine Park and Fisheries.
“Council are the good guys here and there is no point to council bashing, it’s the other government departments that are going to be the problem,” Mr Bourke said.
Mr Young said one initial idea he had was to have the council deliver a pile of sand that could be put into bags by community members and used to shore up the island as a short-term measure. Other creative ideas suggested at the meeting were barriers and fences to help redirect sand onto the island.
It was also suggested that a Friends of Lewis Island Landcare group be formed to work on different projects to improve the island.
Mr Young showed those present where the erosion was undercutting various structures included old barbecue concrete pads and also trees lining the island.
He had a letter from the council stating that the remaining picnic table may have to be removed.
All those present left their names so they could be contacted regarding any future works and contributions at the island.
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