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Work to repair the collapsed training walls at Mooball Creek at Pottsville has been completed.
The $1.28 million project, jointly funded by Transport for NSW ($540,000), the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program ($450,000) and Tweed Shire Council ($290,000), saw restoration of the existing seawalls back to their original condition.
First built in the 1960s to keep the creek mouth open, the seawalls eroded over time, accelerated by repeated cyclonic weather events in recent years. Waves pounded the rock wall surface, hastening their collapse and causing erosion further into the creek entrance.
In late 2022, Council engaged the NSW Government’s coastal engineering experts, Manly Hydraulics Laboratory, to perform an analysis of the training walls and prepare a design for the repair works.
Transport for NSW provided consent for Council and contractors to access the site and perform the necessary repair work earlier this year. Qualified contractor MGN Civil Pty Ltd was engaged to restore both the south and north walls and commenced work in October, installing more than 3,785 tonnes of new rock armour across both seawalls.
The work was undertaken following a concerted campaign by the Pottsville Community Association, and in particular keen angler and long-time local resident David Cranwell.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry was pleased to see the works restored in time for the busy summer holiday season.
“We know how much residents and visitors love to swim at Mooball Creek – more affectionately known as Potty Creek by locals – and how popular the river mouth is with anglers,” Cr Cherry said.
“We are grateful to the NSW and Australian governments for their funding support.
“The repair of these training walls means the creek mouth’s integrity will be restored, helping to allow good tidal exchange in the creek system which greatly improves the water quality for swimming and fishing. This is something Mr Cranwell and the Pottsville Community Association has fought for on behalf of the community for many years, so it is fantastic to be able to finally deliver it.”
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said this was a great win for the Pottsville community.
“Repairing the sea walls will help with managing the creek mouth and ensuring Mooball Creek continues to be a popular recreational destination,” Mr Provest said.
“I’m pleased we can finally deliver these much-needed repairs.”
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot was pleased the popular swimming destination had been restored.
“Mooball Creek is a treasured destination for fun and play for local families and wider community alike,” Mrs Elliot said.
“This important funding of more than $450,000 from the Federal Government in partnership with Tweed Shire Council and the NSW Government to repair the training wall at Mooball Creek will ensure the integrity of the creek mouth and maintain this wonderful community location for years to come.”
Find out more about how Council manages the Tweed’s coastal waterways at tweed.nsw.gov.au/coastal-management.
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