Work on shoring up the badly eroding Lewis Island on the Narooma inlet is set to go ahead with the Eurobodalla Council planning on installing structures and vegetation along the crumbling banks.
Eurobodalla councillor Phil Constable said the council was moving ahead with the placement of coir-fibre “eco logs” and planting of native vegetation along the island’s banks, particularly along the southwest corner of the sand island where the erosion as at its worst.
Clr Constable said at the same time local resident Chris Young who is leading the charge to save Lewis Island had met with council officials to form a Lewis Island protection group involving those who attended the recent community meeting and who signed a petition to save the island. Click here for meeting story
The council however had not heard back from Roads and Maritime Services on the proposal to reduce the boating speed limit along Lewis Island to 4 knots in an effort to reduce wash from boats further eroding the island, but he was hopeful there would be action from the RMS soon.
Clr Constable said the long-term solution was to mount a large dredging operation alongside Lewis Island with sand removed from the channel dumped on the island to build it up.
“We are also still proceeding with the longer-term plan for dredging and replenishment of the island but we need all the necessary approvals from the various agencies and this could take some time,” he said.
The work on Lewis Island comes as the council does similar works along the Easts Holiday Park foreshore to prevent the receding bank from undercutting the pathway. Click here for more on those works
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
