Eastern suburbs mayor says climate change impacts ‘evident’ as big swells sweep area

By DANIEL LO SURDO

The mayor of an eastern suburbs council has said that climate change impacts are “evident” after recent big swells and high tides have caused further damage to the area’s coast, after previous repairs were needed following flooding last month.

On the weekend, staff from Waverley Council assessed damages to different sites across the eastern suburbs, including at North Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama.

In an update published on Monday, council were still not able to estimate the costs of the weather impacts, which were set to include rebuilding brick walls, steel fabrication and netting, while also undergoing concrete repairs for the North Bondi pool and promenade.

On Sunday, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said that the “impacts of climate change are evident as these events become more frequent”, adding that it would “likely be many weeks” before impacted areas would be fully restored.

Across the weekend, North Bondi experienced damages to its promenade and fence above Wally Weekes pool, while the Bondi to Bronte walk was closed on Saturday after waves flowed over the pathway.

There was damage to garden beds and bin corrals in Tamarama, as a large amount of sand washed up from the beach to the park area.

Brick fencing on the Bronte promenade was also damaged, with water inundating the park and the pool surrounds also needing attention. As of Monday, the Bronte pool remained closed for repair works, as was the kids’ pool at North Bondi.

Eastern suburbs endured severe effects from flooding last month

The big swells and high tides come just a month after councils in the eastern suburbs reported severe effects from the flooding that afflicted much of the state.

High tides entirely flooded some areas of the Bondi to Bronte walk between Bondi and Tamarama in March, causing the path to be closed. As a consequence of the flooding, Beachwatch, which is part of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, warned that stormwater pollution may impact most swimming sites in the area.