Path shut, creek moved: why there's big changes ahead for Redhead beach

A major effort is under way to halt significant shifts in Redhead beach sand dunes, permanently closing one pathway and temporarily taking over a portion of the popular area's car park.

Lake Macquarie City Council said the dune had moved "significantly" during the past three years, announcing a three-month project will rehabilitate the area south of the surf club.

The council's environmental systems manager Brendan Callander said sand often engulfed the car park and an outdoor shower.

Bike racks and the access path from the car park to the surf club and main beach also got swamped, he said.

"We're starting by removing weed species, dead wood and debris from the existing dunes," Mr Callander said.

"After that, earthmoving equipment will reshape the dunes, reducing their height in some places and creating a flatter, wider profile with a gentler slope towards the car park behind."

An access path in the dunes' north-west corner that has become overgrown will close permanently.

The path midway along the car park will shift, with new fencing and matting.

Works will also include a new dune protection fence.

Once reshaped, Mr Callander said the dunes would rise 8.4 metres above sea level.

That is about three metres shorter than their existing height.

"They'll initially be planted with low-growing native species like spinifex and pigface to stabilise the dune, with larger species like acacia and banksia introduced progressively," he said.

"The aim is to create a self-sustaining cover of vegetation similar to what already exists in the dunes' north-west corner."

A southern access track leading to Freshwater Creek - also known as First Creek - will also be upgraded.

The creek will also be shifted to reduce its scouring on the dunes, while a nearby drainage pipe the council said had been prone to damage would be replaced.

The replacement would slow and spread stormwater run-off entering the creek, the council said.

Wire and mesh screening on the northern edge will be replaced to hold back more sand from spilling into the showers and bike racks.

The southern end of the beach car park will host a site compound during works.

Mr Callander said the council had tried to arrange the works to avoid peak times for the area.

"We've scheduled the work during the cooler months when beach visitation is at its lowest," he said.

"Weather permitting, the project should be complete and the car park compound removed before the beach season kicks off again in September."

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