The sand blocking access to footpaths on Kiama’s Surf Beach has been relocated, allowing patrons to safely access the beach once again.

The excess sand has covered the footpath since wild winds and rain battered the Kiama LGA a couple of years ago, leaving Surf Beach awash with driftwood and sand. The excess sand has now been moved back onto nearby rocks, and the beach has been raked to remove any potentially harmful materials.

Kiama Councillor Matt Brown thanked Director of Liveability, Michael Malone for listening to the community and taking action to fix the issues with Surf Beach.

“This has been something Kiama Surf Club and Destination Kiama have been requesting for years," Councillor Brown told The Bugle. In the first year as Director for Liveability at Kiama Council, Michael Malone has listened to the community. A big thank you to Director for Liveability Michael Malone for listening to the community and acting. Now that Nippers and Surf Patrols have begun, we have a safer beach for locals and visitors alike.”

Kiama Surf Life Saving Club President Phil Perry also praised the decision to finally clean up the beach and remove the orange barricades that restricted access to the footpath.

“A year or so ago when we had the big storms and the beach looked more like a lumber yard, some of the members of the club cleaned the beach up back then,” Phil told The Bugle. 

“Having Surf Beach as pristine as it can be every day of the week is massive from a tourism point. Just recently, the Surf Club hosted the Australian bodysurfing championships at our beach, so it draws in competitions and people from other countries. So having a great beach that’s accessible and looks good is massive for the community.”

Surf Clubs at Kiama Downs and Gerringong have also requested their respective beaches be raked at the beginning of each season as well.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment recently rated the five monitored beaches in the Kiama LGA, including Surf Beach, which all received a rating of “good,” meaning it’s suitable for swimming and should only be avoided at least one day after heavy rainfall.