LATEST NEWS

June Information Gathering and Community Workshop

This first stage of community engagement in June during a visit to Scamander by the consultant team was a success.  Over 30 people attended the community information session, and several meetings were held with community members and stakeholders.

While we focussed on landholders and groups directly impacted by the hazards and at risk for this stage, it attracted wider interested, including from the Beaumaris coast, demonstrating the project’s subject, coastal hazards, is a concern beyond Scamander.

You can view the presentation by Elle Witte from SGS and Nick Lewis from Moffatt & Nichol at the community information workshop on 24 June here.  It includes links on some content to sources of more detailed information you can explore.

Annotated presentation slides from Scamander Consultation 24 June 2025 (6Mb)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Scamander Coastal Hazards Project focuses on the increased risks of coastal erosion and inundation at the Scamander River Mouth, especially when high seas and floodwaters combine during extreme weather events.

The project aims to increase understanding of complex coastal and flood processes at the Scamander River Mouth and reduce risks to properties, infrastructure and the environment from the hazards they pose.  The project will involve the community in better understanding this dynamic natural environment, developing pathways of risk mitigation and adaptation actions and identifying the implications for them, when climate change makes the future at the River Mouth uncertain.  Government agencies and other stakeholders will also be involved in the project as the coastal and flood risks threaten public infrastructure and services, natural values and recreation.

The project includes undertaking limited mitigation works to reduce immediate risks at the River Mouth.

The project will be instrumental in planning ‘adaption pathways’ for the coastal hazards and risks at the Scamander River Mouth and future uncertainties related to stormy seas, flooding and sea level rise due to climate change.

CONSULTANTS

Working with Council and you are SGS Economics and Planning (sgsep.com.au), the lead consultant who will apply a ‘coastal adaptation pathways approach’ they have previously applied in Break O’Day around Georges Bay.  Moffatt & Nichol (www.moffattnichol.com) will provide coastal and marine specialist expertise.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

2.   Tell us more

We still want to hear from you.  Come back soon and we’ll have an online questionnaire here soon for you to share:

• Photos and recollections from the past.  Photos and other evidence of how the river and coast have behaved together in the past, and the things that have been done, and worked or failed, are important lessons.
• What do you care about that is exposed and vulnerable?  The project will be considering what different assets and values are exposed to coastal and flood hazards at the Scamander River Mouth, be they private or public and share.
• Ideas for what to do in the future.  We want to have a good menu of interventions and risk mitigation actions to evaluate and plan the best future pathways to reduce impacts and to adapt to changing coastal and flood hazards.  Stormy seas and flood already impact foreshore land and increasing future risks have been mapped.  What short term and future actions, big and small are there?

MORE TO COME

Further community opportunities to be involved in the project and activities are planned.  They include learning more about interventions and management and actions for the coastal and flood risks.  And helping build some future ‘pathways’ from them, to evaluate for best options and the Adaption Pathways Plan.

Return here to keep up to date, or better still keep in touch by sharing your email address to be added to the project contact list, by using the online questionnaire (coming soon) or call or drop in at our office in St Helens.

Activities and Indicative Timeline

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Council has begun work to demolish the existing BBQ shelter at the Binalong Bay Village Green and construct a brand-new BBQ facility in its place. The current shelter is no longer fit for purpose, and following community consultation—including a public survey exploring three location options—Option B at the Village Green was selected as the preferred site. This upgrade will provide a more functional and accessible space for residents and visitors to enjoy in Binalong Bay.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

As part of the planning process, Council undertook community consultation to ensure the new BBQ facility meets the needs and expectations of Binalong Bay residents and visitors. A public survey was conducted, offering community members the opportunity to provide feedback on three proposed location options. This feedback helped guide Council’s decision-making, with Option B—situated at the Village Green—emerging as the preferred location.

You can read the Binalong Bay BBQ Community Engagement Report here:

Binalong Bay BBQ Area Survey Report

PROJECT TIMELINE:

Construction commenced on Wednesday 7 May 2025 and is scheduled for completion by Friday 11 July 2025, weather permitting. Council appreciates the community’s patience during this time and looks forward to delivering an upgraded space for all to enjoy.

Click here to view the site plan for the new BBQ facility at the Binalong Bay Village Green:

Binalong Bay Bbq Site Plan

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) and Break O’Day Council (BODC) have partnered to engage a consultant to prepare a Bay of Fires Master Plan that will deliver a high quality environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Bay of Fires experience for the next twenty years to 2040.  To deliver on that objective, the Master Plan must have regard to the need for protection and enhancement of the natural environment and cultural values, the needs of the community and residents, and he nature and drivers of the local economy.  The primary scope encompasses national park, conservation and recreation areas north of Humbug Point, to the Binalong Bay township, the Bay of Fires beaches and campgrounds, Anson’s Bay, to Deep Creek in the north and the freehold land within this area.

CONSULTANTS:

Hansen Partnership Pty Ltd

KEY ACTIVITIES & INDICATIVE TIMELINES: 

These activities and timelines may be subject to changes during the duration of the project

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

There will be several opportunities for the community to have their say on the Bay of Fires Master Plan project.  We will share links and promotions to these opportunities here as they arise. We will also promote these opportunities through our Newsletter, Social Media and email databases as well as other local media outlets.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REPORT:

The Bay of Fires Master Plan will provide a basis  for managing the future use of the Bay of Fires area to deliver a high quality experience for those who visit and use the area.  It will guide the actions and priorities of the Parks and Wildlife Service who have the overall land management responsibility for the Bay of Fires as well as the activities of the Break O’Day Council and other community organisations who have an interest in the area.

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

 The Break O’Day Council is exploring the potential construction and operation of an Aquatic Facility in our area. The project initially involves a feasibility analysis to assess whether such a facility is viable. This analysis will examine the various components of the proposed aquatic facility, including its design, potential locations, and the anticipated level of community use. Additionally, the financial projections will be broad and consider the community’s ability to fund the project. The primary goal of the feasibility analysis is to address key questions, such as whether an aquatic facility is feasible, what it could look like, where it might be located, and how it would be financed. 

CONSULTANTS: 

Otium Planning Group 

KEY ACTIVITIES & INDICATIVE TIMELINES:  

* It is important to note that the Key Activities and Timelines are indicative only and that they may evolve and change as the consultancy progresses. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: 

There will be several opportunities for the community to have their say on the Aquatic Feasibility Study project.  We will share links and promotions to these opportunities here as they arise. We will also promote these opportunities through our Newsletter, Social Media and email databases as well as other local media outlets. 

COMMUNITY FACE-TO-FACE WORKSHOPS

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REPORT 

Once the Feasibility Analysis has been developed, it will be presented to the Council who will decide if the project investigation should proceed to Stage 2 which is the development of a detailed business case and concept design. 

The investigations and ultimately decision making around a potential Aquatic Facility in the area will be the most complex and ultimately future shaping project to be considered by the Council since the amalgamation of Portland and Fingal Councils creating Break O’Day in 1993.  A decision to build and manage an Aquatic Facility will be lived with for future generations. 

Once this work is completed, Council will need to make a decision on whether to progress to Stage 2, you can find the various stages of this project in the Methodology document below.  

If progressed, the construction of a facility will require external funding, meaning Council will need to seek State and Federal funding to deliver such a project. 

COMMUNITY SURVEY NOW OPEN 

You can find Community Engagement activities here:  Community Engagement

UPDATED – 18 JUNE

SURVEY NOW OPEN  – Head to our Community Engagement Page to share your thoughts with us by CLICKING HERE.

Why an Industrial Land Study?

Council’s Development Services are commencing a strategic land use project to identify a forward supply of industrial land within our local government area.  A forward supply of industrial land is important in ensuring sufficient land is available to support new or expanded activities and incentivise diversity within industry.  The objective is to place the Break O’Day local government area in the best position in terms of industrial land supply, to meet demand, to provide opportunities for emerging or expanding sectors and entrepreneurship and to support its residents in terms of liveability and well-being.  Diverse and sustainable industry relies on choice and flexibility in terms of location, freedom of operation, land size, access to services, resources and transport networks.

An aspirational goal of identifying adequate and appropriate ‘industrial’ land is the Break O’Day municipality can increase the diversity of employment sectors and provide significant economic and community benefits including job creation, investment and entrepreneurism.

What Happens Next?

The project will be undertaken by REMPLAN in partnership with Council.  REMPLAN brings extensive experience in industrial land analysis, economic modelling and strategic planning, with a strong track record of delivering similar studies for regional councils across Australia.  Their approach integrates quantitative economic analysis with qualitative stakeholder insights as we aim to ensure the study is practical, market responsive and aligned with local conditions.  Below is an indicative timeline of the project with milestones identified.  As you can imagine we want the project to be responsive to findings and will be consulting with our local community stakeholders.

How can I get involved?

Stakeholder engagement is an important part of this project and as the engagement strategy is finalised, more information will become available on this page as well as other communication channels.  REMPLAN have access to an extensive stakeholder database and so further information will be coming soon.

At this stage it is likely that the final report will be delivered in July 2025 and publicly available soon after.

*Timelines are subject to change based on how each stage of the project progresses.

For more information:

Contact Council on telephone 6376 7900 or email admin@bodc.tas.gov.au.

On 28 July, installation will start on 75 solar lights along the Georges Bay multi-user track. Starting at the St Helens wharf and ending at the Cunningham Street jetty, this will transform the 3-kilometre stretch into a safer, more accessible, and user-friendly space — particularly during the darker winter months.

The track will remain open while works are undertaken, and this is expected to take around eight weeks to complete. Users of the track should expect some delays during this period as there will be pedestrian traffic management in place to ensure the safety of users and workers.

This project was funded through LGAT’s Open Spaces Grant with the lighting specifically selected to be low-impact and suitable for marine and land based native wildlife. The lights are operated by sensor and brighten as you approach and dim after you have passed.