Posted on August 13, 2025
City of Newcastle has been working on a long-term plan to manage our coastline between Nobbys Headland and Glenrock Lagoon, collectively known as our Southern Beaches – and we’re now sharing the shortlisted strategies being considered to help protect places like Merewether, Dixon Park and Bar Beach.
These include:
– Beach Nourishment – adding sand to keep our beaches sandy and create a buffer from erosion
– Protection Structures – like seawalls and revetments to protect paths, roads and public spaces
– Managed Retreat – relocating infrastructure to allow the shoreline to naturally shift over time
Each strategy has pros and cons, and often a mix of approaches will be needed to get the balance right.
We’re not asking for feedback just yet – right now it’s all about helping you understand the choices, so you can have your say when the time comes. Stay tuned as we break down what each strategy means and how it could impact the way you enjoy our coast.
We have been working on a long-term plan to manage our coastline between Nobbys Headland and Glenrock Lagoon collectively known as our Southern Beaches. This Coastal Management Program will contain a series of actions to help us adapt to both immediate and future changes on our coast.
Why we need to act
Evidence shows our coastline is at risk from climate change-driven threats, including:
- Coastal erosion – loss of sand and beach area during big swells and storms
- Coastal inundation – flooding of low-lying areas
- Sea level rise – gradually changing the shape and function of our beaches
These changes can affect how we use and enjoy our coastline, as well as the safety of nearby infrastructure like pathways, carparks, and surf clubs. Taking action now means we can protect the lifestyle, recreation, and natural beauty our coast provides.
How does the coastline in this area work?
Understanding how our coastline works is an important part of planning ahead for our beaches. This video takes a look at the coastal processes that occur at the stretch of coastline from Merewether to Bar Beach.
How we’re planning for this CMP
We’ve been investigating how best to manage our southern beaches, with a focus on the Mereweather to Bar Beach embayment as it has the highest risk. Our work so far includes:
- Geotechnical investigations – understanding the physical makeup of the coastline
- Risk assessments – identifying what’s at stake and what’s most important
- Feasibility studies – evaluating what can realistically and practically be delivered
From this, we’ve developed a short list of management strategies. These are not standalone fixes and will likely require a combination of the management strategies being considered.
Management strategies being considered
We’re now sharing the shortlisted strategies being considered to help protect places like Merewether, Dixon Park and Bar Beach.
These options listed below are not being considered in isolation, as the best outcomes will often require a combination of approaches to manage the coastline effectively. These include:
- Beach nourishment
- Protection structures
- Managed retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
- How were the options shortlisted?
- What do we know about the risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities for the Southern Beaches?
- How might the way I visit and use these beaches change in the future?
- What types of options are being considered to manage this stretch of coastline?
- Tell me more about coastal structures, sand nourishment and sand movement
- What’s next?
How can you get involved?
While we prepare the next stage, you can help us track how the coastline is changing via CoastSnap. CoastSnap NSW is a collaboration between UNSW Sydney, the NSW Government and City of Newcastle.
- Visit a CoastSnap station at Bar Beach or Merewether, place your phone in the cradle, and take a photo.
- Or download the CoastSnap app and upload your images from anywhere along this stretch of coast.
Your photos help build a visual record of coastal change over time, supporting the science behind our CMP.
