I had seen a post from last year on the topic how long will the pond last, well I would think not very long unless both the local council and DPAW or DOT get active. There are currently 4 storm water drains depositing all sorts of crap into this small section of water adding excessive nutrients contributing to large algae growths. Adding to the demise is the lack of sea grass in the pond being blanketed by rotting seagrass with little or no flow from tidal movements. I think the only hope will be the same as what happened with the Margaret River surf competition being cancelled to get authorities realising the impact of the tourist dollar.
Photos today show the rigging area and just algae in the water.

They'll just keep spending money on dredging rather than create a channel through the sandbar to flush the stink pool out.

Spot on, will need solution raised by those using the pond to get action. Council is watching and waiting for some response i suggest.

The Sand Bar is managed or policed by DPAW (or whoever they call themselves now) - Department of biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions?

The Pond will be totally stink ****Ked before Rockingham and DPAW come up with an agreement that involves cutting the sand bar.

Or, will fill in totally.

Ironic that an environment is screwed up because of the inaction of authorities tasked with preserving the environment..

Nature is gradually taking its course and someone in the council has a heavy bias towards the existing channel being continually dredged instead.

I dont think trying to maintain the current form of the pond is on anyones agenda unfortunately.

Unfortunatey nature was influenced with work being done by council at Mersey Point a couple of decades ago, we locals know the coast changes but what had taken nature hundreds of years as a consequence of this work occured in a few year but thats history now. As a local and i guess many that live close by don,t want to see the Pond land locked and having storm drains continually discharging into it, would end up a stink hole. They (council / DPAW) need to have the courage to open it up at the west end to get water flow through, would not be a big cost a few days with a backhoe.

Sounds like you are the man for the job.

It'd be a massive job! But it would be worth it! I remember when it was just a little island out there when I was a boy.. it would take some serious work with spears for dewatering, a couple of longreach diggers, double swing and stack all the dirt, then cart it to a stockpile with a 980 that would completely bury the car park, load it all into trucks and cart it out to the rubbish tip for capping dirt. You'd need to take out at least 30,000m3 of dirt to make it deep enough and wide enough to work.. it'd be a 3-4 week operation that would upset all the Nanna's! But it's possible... I'd love to get it done.. but the whingers would never let it happen. Could just keep dredging it... they are gonna have to keep that boat ramp open after all.. really, even if you did open it up, the longshore drift of sand would just fill up the passage again within a couple of seasons. The storm water drains aren't helping, but relocating that outlet is way easier said than done.
at least the vegetation has stabilized on the outside bank, the fence keeps people off, the sand strip people used over the middle for years was half the problem... constant 25 knot winds blowing sand over from the newbie launch area created the point on the inside in the first place.. it really is a unique place! I hope it can survive!!

How about cutting the pond through to the north side. Effectively allowing water to channel straight through past the sailing club like it use to?? As the water flows through it would effectively clean all that area up and hence recreate the island that is once was?? It could mean the end of the pond as we know it, but that looks imminent anyway.

Select to expand quote

shi thouse said..
How about cutting the pond through to the north side. Effectively allowing water to channel straight through past the sailing club like it use to?? As the water flows through it would effectively clean all that area up and hence recreate the island that is once was?? It could mean the end of the pond as we know it, but that looks imminent anyway.

Just tell everyone about (the spot).

The powers that be wont even let the yacht club cut a decent path to the beach. I cant see them entering into the idea of cutting a channel through there.

Select to expand quote

windwatching said..
It'd be a massive job! But it would be worth it! I remember when it was just a little island out there when I was a boy.. it would take some serious work with spears for dewatering, a couple of longreach diggers, double swing and stack all the dirt, then cart it to a stockpile with a 980 that would completely bury the car park, load it all into trucks and cart it out to the rubbish tip for capping dirt. You'd need to take out at least 30,000m3 of dirt to make it deep enough and wide enough to work.. it'd be a 3-4 week operation that would upset all the Nanna's! But it's possible... I'd love to get it done.. but the whingers would never let it happen. Could just keep dredging it... they are gonna have to keep that boat ramp open after all.. really, even if you did open it up, the longshore drift of sand would just fill up the passage again within a couple of seasons. The storm water drains aren't helping, but relocating that outlet is way easier said than done.
at least the vegetation has stabilized on the outside bank, the fence keeps people off, the sand strip people used over the middle for years was half the problem... constant 25 knot winds blowing sand over from the newbie launch area created the point on the inside in the first place.. it really is a unique place! I hope it can survive!!

Couldn't you just cart the removed sand to the point? That way creating a longer bar/ and cutting costs , but playing with natural coastlines can cause serious changes and on many occasions has created other issues
winds, tides, currents sculpt and are always changing our coastlines, rarely does it remain as was
Generally good local knowledge isn't taken into account,
were having some issues in town with a bad placement of a groin, you'd only need to be here to witness a decent winter nwester swell to know how little local knowledge was taken onboard

Who's got some shovels and wheel barrows lets this channel stared, deposit all the san near the launching area and make it flat , let all the grass row and nice spot for setting up and people to watch

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..

windwatching said..
It'd be a massive job! But it would be worth it! I remember when it was just a little island out there when I was a boy.. it would take some serious work with spears for dewatering, a couple of longreach diggers, double swing and stack all the dirt, then cart it to a stockpile with a 980 that would completely bury the car park, load it all into trucks and cart it out to the rubbish tip for capping dirt. You'd need to take out at least 30,000m3 of dirt to make it deep enough and wide enough to work.. it'd be a 3-4 week operation that would upset all the Nanna's! But it's possible... I'd love to get it done.. but the whingers would never let it happen. Could just keep dredging it... they are gonna have to keep that boat ramp open after all.. really, even if you did open it up, the longshore drift of sand would just fill up the passage again within a couple of seasons. The storm water drains aren't helping, but relocating that outlet is way easier said than done.
at least the vegetation has stabilized on the outside bank, the fence keeps people off, the sand strip people used over the middle for years was half the problem... constant 25 knot winds blowing sand over from the newbie launch area created the point on the inside in the first place.. it really is a unique place! I hope it can survive!!

Couldn't you just cart the removed sand to the point? That way creating a longer bar/ and cutting costs , but playing with natural coastlines can cause serious changes and on many occasions has created other issues
winds, tides, currents sculpt and are always changing our coastlines, rarely does it remain as was
Generally good local knowledge isn't taken into account,
were having some issues in town with a bad placement of a groin, you'd only need to be here to witness a decent winter nwester swell to know how little local knowledge was taken onboard

Carpark fallen in yet?

Select to expand quote

mazdon said..

cauncy said..

windwatching said..
It'd be a massive job! But it would be worth it! I remember when it was just a little island out there when I was a boy.. it would take some serious work with spears for dewatering, a couple of longreach diggers, double swing and stack all the dirt, then cart it to a stockpile with a 980 that would completely bury the car park, load it all into trucks and cart it out to the rubbish tip for capping dirt. You'd need to take out at least 30,000m3 of dirt to make it deep enough and wide enough to work.. it'd be a 3-4 week operation that would upset all the Nanna's! But it's possible... I'd love to get it done.. but the whingers would never let it happen. Could just keep dredging it... they are gonna have to keep that boat ramp open after all.. really, even if you did open it up, the longshore drift of sand would just fill up the passage again within a couple of seasons. The storm water drains aren't helping, but relocating that outlet is way easier said than done.
at least the vegetation has stabilized on the outside bank, the fence keeps people off, the sand strip people used over the middle for years was half the problem... constant 25 knot winds blowing sand over from the newbie launch area created the point on the inside in the first place.. it really is a unique place! I hope it can survive!!

Couldn't you just cart the removed sand to the point? That way creating a longer bar/ and cutting costs , but playing with natural coastlines can cause serious changes and on many occasions has created other issues
winds, tides, currents sculpt and are always changing our coastlines, rarely does it remain as was
Generally good local knowledge isn't taken into account,
were having some issues in town with a bad placement of a groin, you'd only need to be here to witness a decent winter nwester swell to know how little local knowledge was taken onboard

Carpark fallen in yet?

Nearly, I wouldn't park it there on Wednesday ??

Some good discussion. The city is keen to promote the Pond to the international and WA kiteboarders. The first step is to admit that there is a problem, decide if you want to keep it a choice of destination then decide on the best solution to deliver that. Think you guys have the solution now need to raise the profile with city councillors. Deb Hamblin is local ward rep. or email the mayor.

There is a survey or questionaire coming out from city council in August about Safety Bay revitalisation project it is an extention of the 40 million dollars spent on the Rockingham side to promote Safety Bay. If the council Re genuine in promoting y his as a world class destination lets test that. What would you like to see at the pond? Facilities for change rooms, toilets etc. Viewing platforms, walkways, shaded areas barbecues and obviously a clean safe water way that attracts local and over seas users.

Feel free to share the link on here when you see it pop up.

I spoke to a chap from the city a couple of years ago about the dredging at the pond. He also told me that the city dredge close to 10,000 cubes out of the garden island boat ramp area every year.

They dont know what to do with the sand. I considered using it as structural fill at depth but its no good, gutless and you need to blend it with other stuff to make it hold up. So it becomes too expensive to treat, noting suitable blending sand will cost them 17 bucks a cube.

They should find the company that sends sand to hawaii (think they are aussie). Give the sand away and take a small clip.

Select to expand quote

Sauce said..
Feel free to share the link on here when you see it pop up.

I spoke to a chap from the city a couple of years ago about the dredging at the pond. He also told me that the city dredge close to 10,000 cubes out of the garden island boat ramp area every year.

They dont know what to do with the sand. I considered using it as structural fill at depth but its no good, gutless and you need to blend it with other stuff to make it hold up. So it becomes too expensive to treat, noting suitable blending sand will cost them 17 bucks a cube.

They should find the company that sends sand to hawaii (think they are aussie). Give the sand away and take a small clip.

My home town in southport uk( rainfords sand factory) used to send sand to Saudi F.....g Arabia had me stumped
6/8 % clay content is preferred for structure , beach / lime sand needs 1 ton of water to 1 ton of sand to become compactable/ structural

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..

Sauce said..
Feel free to share the link on here when you see it pop up.

I spoke to a chap from the city a couple of years ago about the dredging at the pond. He also told me that the city dredge close to 10,000 cubes out of the garden island boat ramp area every year.

They dont know what to do with the sand. I considered using it as structural fill at depth but its no good, gutless and you need to blend it with other stuff to make it hold up. So it becomes too expensive to treat, noting suitable blending sand will cost them 17 bucks a cube.

They should find the company that sends sand to hawaii (think they are aussie). Give the sand away and take a small clip.

My home town in southport uk( rainfords sand factory) used to send sand to Saudi F.....g Arabia had me stumped
6/8 % clay content is preferred for structure , beach / lime sand needs 1 ton of water to 1 ton of sand to become compactable/ structural

Haha sounds rediculous!

Were they using it to add some guts to their desert dune sand? To try get compaction?

Tried to google. They closed that plant 10 years ago by the looks at it?? Old photos definately looked like sandy clays but i could be wrong.

Problem with messing about with the ocean is that the ocean will always sort itself back out. We have seen that time after time following construction of groynes and crap like that..

Before the causeway was built that sand would haves replenished the coastline along Mangles Bay to Palm Beach. Another engineering disaster.

Was walking out on the seaward side and noticed a lot of erosion of the vegetation so I decided to map the area and compare with the google earth image. The image doesn't tell the story of the pollution entering the pond but it does illustrate the morphology of the sandbar over a short amount of time. If the propagation of the south eastern sand spit will cut off the boat channel the council may decide to dredge again which ended in a ballsup last time. As for the increased nutrient load inside the pond, a water sampling and data comparison need to be established and results submitted to EPA? and council before any action would even be considered. I'm sure there must be a proper procedure for the submission by the public must exist but you need the data first.
As for the morphology of the sandbar, The coastal zone is always going to be dynamic. Unfortunately it will always change over time and eventually it will fill with sediment and close. Fighting it will only destroy the local seagrass and make the place a ecological disaster zone. Not the ideal solution. Mother nature will have the last laugh in this case.

What do the rest of you guys think?

The whole pond build up was escalated with the council dumping of sand at Mersey Point. That said the council continue to promote this area in their publications as a top tourist destination for kitesurfing alas it is doomed in a short time unless they are genuine and support the sport. Open up the western end and let the water flush through to generate seagrass growth and flush the crap that drains in through the 5 drains in the area there is no sea grass living in the pond. As for the seagrass disappearing now approx. 40% lost in Warnbro sound and with the water Corp annual reports showing faecal and nutrients 9 times the level above their license requirements I am not surprised the Bay is a mess, looks great on a good day but that is not the true story. if kite surfers want to save this area might want to email the mayor barry.sammels@rockingham.wa.gov.au to comment on the lack of action or consultation.

some old photos from a previous thread here:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Safety-Bay-Sandbar-to-be-dredged

careful what you wish for - the pond has never been, and may not continue either due to physical intervention or the whims of nature, as a permanent feature in the area despite how great it has been for wind sports over (relatively) recent years.

edit: sauce reminded me of this old thread from a couple years ago from his post above.

The Pond today no seagrass just slime, amazing what several storm drains running into the area can do.

An interesting document sent to me today showing the minutes of meeting from a group Friends of Shoalwater, in1995 when Tern Island was just a small mound of sand appearing they purchased and introduced shell grit from Cockburn cement to create an island to attract Fairy Terns to nest, the rest is history With drifting sand from Mersey Point trucked in and dumped to prevent erosion going on to create The Pond. Not as natural formation as suggested. By the way there are no nesting birds on Tern Island according to Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW)

Select to expand quote

Ezybouy said..
An interesting document sent to me today showing the minutes of meeting from a group Friends of Shoalwater, in1995 when Tern Island was just a small mound of sand appearing they purchased and introduced shell grit from Cockburn cement to create an island to attract Fairy Terns to nest, the rest is history With drifting sand from Mersey Point trucked in and dumped to prevent erosion going on to create The Pond. Not as natural formation as suggested. By the way there are no nesting birds on Tern Island according to Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW)

So the enviro-"mentalists" meddled with nature and caused a cluster fk - wow. That would melt their brains.

We cant complain because we got the pond.

Hammer the city of Rockingham Coastal engineers for any action - its harsh because the City enforces urban water sensitive design with regard to drainage but existing areas can just dump unfiltered drain water into the ocean.

Select to expand quote

Sauce said..

Ezybouy said..
An interesting document sent to me today showing the minutes of meeting from a group Friends of Shoalwater, in1995 when Tern Island was just a small mound of sand appearing they purchased and introduced shell grit from Cockburn cement to create an island to attract Fairy Terns to nest, the rest is history With drifting sand from Mersey Point trucked in and dumped to prevent erosion going on to create The Pond. Not as natural formation as suggested. By the way there are no nesting birds on Tern Island according to Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW)

Hammer the city of Rockingham Coastal engineers for any action - its harsh because the City enforces urban water sensitive design with regard to drainage but existing areas can just dump unfiltered drain water into the ocean.

Ezybouy seems to have some interesting ideas about what caused the pond to form, but i think theres probably more to the story of that drain halfway down the beach. I've witnessed it gushing out water in the middle of summer after weeks without any rainfall.

You can see the morphology of the sandbar over the last 70+ years

Amazing to see how quickly it changed in 20 years.

Another 5yrs and we can have a cricket oval there.