The Forces of Nature
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 | Author: admin |  Email This Article to a friend Email This Article to a friend

{from a piece in the Shoalhaven & Nowra News May 1977}.
Mother Nature has certainly looked kindly for centuries upon the magnificent beach at Shoalhaven Heads, generously providing it with golden sands and strong, exciting waves. Long before the days of David Berry and the district’s pioneers the waves constantly pounded the beachfront with a firm but tolerant understanding.Nowra News May 1977And the sounds of the winds and gales were part of the normal weather cycle.
The area to most people Nowra people is best known as the important opening to the Pacific Ocean through which the waters of the great Shoalhaven River enter the sea. (Editor: But not anymore)
Flooding on the lower parts of the delta has occurred and while temporary concern, of course, has been expressed most residents of Shoalhaven Heads claim the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

But now all this has changed!

Shoalhaven Heads, a little centre close to Nowra, known for its excellent beach, oysters and pleasant surrounds, has a big problem. The beach is disappearing!
And what is left is being covered in some eerie way by thousands of pieces of logs and debris from upstream Shoalhaven River.
A comfortable walk up and down the beach is now almost impossible. Also the diminution of sand and erosion caused by various forces has placed the $100,000 plus Shoalhaven Heads Surf Lifesaving Clubhouse within three metres of falling into the sea.

The shire council already has spent many thousands of dollars trying to stop the erosion to save the clubhouse, but one wonders whether the great forces of Nature are going to prove unconquerable.
Council must face this possibility before it spends more money in beach patch-work.

Nowra News May 1977


Tags: , Category: History
How did this article make you feel? (sorry, you can only vote once!) -
(0) (0) (0) (0) (0)

Comments are closed.


  • The 1988 Shoalhaven River Floods (Local Articles | Photo Galleries)
    (June 12, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: Here's some information and a gallery of photos taken during the floods in late April, early May 1988 at Shoalhaven Heads. Flood facts: Flood height at Nowra: 4.5m A.H.D, Shoalhaven Heads: 2.4m A.H.D (higher than the 197...

  • Chinaman Pete’s Huge Jewey (Fishing Club News | Local Articles)
    (December 10, 2008)
    Excerpt from this article: SHOALHAVEN HEADS SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB FISHING CLUB : Chinaman Pete's Huge Jewey Remember this face. If you see him at dusk on the beach, say hullo. It is Chinaman Pete, Shoalhaven Heads best Beach fisherman. There is...

  • This Month in the Shoalhaven’s History - April (History | Local Articles)
    (April 17, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: On this month in 1842 (April 26th) was the first recording of a flood in the Shoalhaven River. More floods were recorded again in 1852. The most damaging were recorded in February 1860, May 1860, August 1860 and 1870 fin...

  • This month in the Shoalhaven’s History - May (History | Local Articles)
    (May 19, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: On this month in the Shoalhaven several intersting events took place. Firstly, on May 24th 1898, the old bridge across Kangaroo River was washed away by flood.  Luckily this was five days after the new Hampden Bridge was...

  • This Month in the Shoalhaven’s History - August (History | Local Articles)
    (August 6, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: On August 1st 1979, The dissolution of Shoalhaven Shire Council and Proclamation by the Governor of NSW, Sir Arthur Roden Cutler, of the Municipality of Shoalhaven as the City of Shoalhaven took place. Councillor, (then ...

  • Impact of Climate change on the South Coast (Information | Local Articles)
    (October 27, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: Apparently (I didn't hear it myself) there was a chap who had called the ABC this morning implying that Shoalhaven Heads was identified as being one of the most prone areas when climate changes occur. He went on to state...

  • History of the area (History)
    (January 23, 2008)
    Excerpt from this article: In 1797 the Shoalhaven area was crossed by the survivors of the wreck of the Sydney Cove and then by explorer George Bass who, investigating their reports, followed Seven Mile Beach, crossed the shoals at the entrance to...

  • This Month in the Shoalhaven’s History - July (History | Local Articles)
    (July 20, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: On July 5th 1879, work began on the construction of the iron bridge over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra. Amazingly (I'd like to see it happen today), the bridge was opened on the 1st August that same year by Hon John Lack...

  • Shoalhaven Heads has a History of Flooding (Information | Local Articles)
    (May 22, 2009)
    Excerpt from this article: After watching TV coverage of the devastating floods in northern NSW recently, it's worth reminding local residents that Shoalhaven Heads has a long history of flooding. Since 1860 there have been 41 floods recorded, ma...

  • Printable Map of the Heads (Information)
    (March 11, 2008)
    Excerpt from this article: I found this handy pdf map of Shoalhaven Heads which can be easily printed off - useful for visitors. Shoalhaven Heads Town Map and if you are 'caught short' - this is a handy one too! Public Toilet Map of Shoalhaven Hea...