The NSW Beach Improvement Programme

The concentration of people and development on the NSW coastline was placing intense pressure on the beaches for recreational use. Many popular beaches were being degraded due to the lack of suitable features to reduce the adverse impacts of this high usage and some were not being used to their full potential because of the lack of amenities. Therefore in 1976, the NSW Government introduced the Beach Improvement Programme to provide financial assistance to local government in the restoration, conservation and improvement of beaches and foreshore reserves. Many beaches have been restored or improved using sound management techniques. These works have provided additional facilities to beach users while reducing the adverse impacts of the high usage. The Programme has also had a number of indirect benefits viz made local government more aware of the dynamic nature of the beach and the role of dunes; local government has adopted similar management techniques at other beaches; and has increased public awareness of the benefits of these techniques.