Coastal Hazard and Risk Zone

Coastal Hazard Zoning & Risk

Another major concern for Protect Oxley Beach Port Macquarie is the suitability of the proposed location within a recognised coastal hazard and vulnerability area. Oxley Beach is a naturally dynamic coastal environment that is continually shaped by waves, tides, storms, currents and the movement of sand. These natural processes are fundamental to the health of the coastline, but they also present significant challenges for the placement of permanent infrastructure.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is currently preparing its Coastal Management Program (CMP), a comprehensive long-term strategy to identify, assess and manage coastal risks across the local government area. The technical studies completed to date identify Oxley Beach as being within an area affected by coastal hazards and vulnerable to ongoing coastal processes, including erosion, shoreline recession, storm surge, inundation, large ocean swells and sand movement. These findings raise important questions about whether substantial engineered infrastructure is appropriate in a location that has been identified for its dynamic coastal processes and long-term vulnerability.

The information below explains what coastal hazard mapping is, what it means for Oxley Beach, and why the location of major permanent infrastructure within an active coastal hazard area is an important planning consideration.

Why coastal hazards matter

One of the key considerations in assessing any major coastal development is understanding the natural processes that shape the coastline. Beaches are dynamic environments—they are constantly changing in response to waves, tides, storms, currents, sand movement and sea level change. These natural processes are essential to the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems but also present challenges when permanent infrastructure is proposed within active coastal environments.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is currently preparing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the municipality in accordance with the NSW Coastal Management Framework. The purpose of the CMP is to identify coastal values, understand coastal hazards and vulnerabilities, and develop long-term strategies for managing the coastline while balancing environmental, social and economic outcomes.

As part of this work, Council has undertaken a comprehensive Coastal Hazard Assessment and Coastal Vulnerability Area Mapping Study (2025), which identifies areas of the coastline exposed to present and future coastal hazards. Oxley Beach is identified within this coastal hazard and vulnerability mapping.

What is a coastal hazard?

A coastal hazard is a natural process that has the potential to affect people, infrastructure or the environment. Under the NSW Coastal Management Framework, these hazards include:

• Beach and dune erosion

• Long-term shoreline recession

• Coastal inundation from storm surge and elevated sea levels

• Wave overtopping

• Coastal cliff or slope instability

• Tidal inundation

• Sand movement and sediment transport

• The effects of extreme weather events such as East Coast Lows and tropical systems

These hazards are not isolated events—they are part of the natural functioning of the coastline. The Coastal Hazard Assessment explains that waves, tides, currents, wind and storm events continually transport sand along and across beaches, causing periods of erosion followed by recovery. During major storm events, these processes become significantly more intense.

What does this mean for Oxley Beach?

The Coastal Management Program recognises that Oxley Beach sits within a naturally dynamic coastal system where coastal processes continue to shape the shoreline.

Council's Coastal Hazard Assessment documents a long history of coastal storms affecting the Port Macquarie coastline, including:

• severe storm erosion

• East Coast Lows

• tropical cyclones

• storm surge

• damage to coastal infrastructure

• dune erosion

• flooding and flood debris impacts

• repeated emergency coastal protection works

Recent events have resulted in damage to seawalls, beaches, boardwalks, coastal reserves, stormwater infrastructure and public assets throughout the local government area, demonstrating the ongoing exposure of coastal infrastructure to storm impacts.

Why is this important when considering permanent infrastructure?

Permanent coastal infrastructure differs from facilities located inland because it must withstand an environment that is continually changing.

The proposed Ocean Pool associated with Planning Proposal PP-2025-1474 would involve substantial permanent infrastructure within this coastal setting, including:

• reinforced concrete structures

• excavation and modification of natural rock platforms

• seawater intake and discharge pipelines extending into the ocean

• two pump stations and associated pump pits

• pump housing and electrical infrastructure

• amenities and service buildings

• pathways, railings and associated public facilities

Infrastructure located within active coastal environments will be exposed over its lifetime to erosion, wave loading, saltwater corrosion, storm surge, sand movement and inundation. As coastal hazards increase, maintenance requirements and repair costs may also increase.

Long-term financial considerations

Public coastal infrastructure requires ongoing inspection, maintenance and, following major storm events, may require significant repairs or reconstruction.

Across New South Wales, ocean pools and coastal structures have experienced substantial storm damage in recent years. Examples include:

• Newcastle Ocean Baths, where storm damage and deterioration contributed to a major restoration project valued at more than $9 million.

• Merewether Ocean Baths, which have required repeated repairs following severe storm events.

• Numerous seawalls, promenades, boardwalks and coastal reserves across NSW that have required emergency reconstruction following East Coast Lows.

While every site is different, these examples illustrate that infrastructure located within exposed coastal environments can involve significant long-term maintenance commitments. Costs associated with repairs following severe weather events are typically borne by the asset owner—in this case, the local community through Council budgets and ratepayer-funded maintenance programs.

Insurance for infrastructure located within identified coastal hazard areas may also become increasingly difficult or expensive as insurers continue to assess climate-related risk.

Planning within coastal hazard areas

The NSW Coastal Management Framework encourages planning decisions that recognise natural coastal processes and avoid creating additional risk where possible.

The Coastal Management Program currently being developed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is intended to provide the long-term framework for managing coastal hazards, protecting environmental values and improving the resilience of public assets over coming decades.

Understanding the coastal hazard context of Oxley Beach is therefore an important part of understanding Planning Proposal PP-2025-1474. The proposal involves locating permanent engineered infrastructure within a coastal landscape that Council has identified as being subject to ongoing natural coastal processes and hazards, and which is currently the subject of detailed coastal risk assessment and long-term management planning.