City of Newcastle clears the way for Bar Beach upgrades

Work will begin next month to improve access at Bar Beach, with more than $1.7 million being invested in upgrades including a new walkway and staircase from the main promenade across the front of Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club to the sand. 

The beach and surf lifesaving club building were significantly damaged by a storm surge in April 2022. 

Councillors voted last night to accept a tender for the next stage of City of Newcastle's ongoing remediation program, which will include new access from the amenities area to the southern area of the beach patrolled by City of Newcastle lifeguards seven days a week.  

The project will also include the reinstatement and upgrade of a vehicle access ramp from Memorial Drive to the beach, with access to and from the Club’s garaging, and a wave deflector wall to protect the new infrastructure. 

City of Newcastle has delivered a series of repair works at Bar Beach since 2022, including reinstating staircases, re-installing a beach access wheelchair ramp, and installing balustrade-style fencing to increase safety given the drop in sand level in the storm event. 

The next stage of the project is scheduled to be completed before the peak summer season to minimise disruption to beachgoers, including the Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club's Nippers program. 

Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said enhancing the accessibility of Bar Beach and restoring the integrity of its built environment was a priority for City for Newcastle. 

"The remediation work completed so far has significantly restored the area, with this next stage to further improve pedestrian and vehicular access at this popular coastal precinct,” Mr Thompson said. 

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said these works are part of ongoing investment in our beaches, which will continue through the Coastal Revitalisation Program.  

"We know just how much our community and visitors value how easy it is to enjoy our beautiful coastline," Cr Nelmes said. 

"This is why we continue to invest in improving access points at our beaches as well as delivering major infrastructure projects including upgrades to the Merewether Ocean Baths and the refurbishment of Nobbys Surf Pavilion, the ongoing revitalisation of the Newcastle Ocean Baths, and the delivery of our flagship Bathers Way coastal path." 

Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club President Michael Clancy welcomed the next stage of remediation works and improvements to beach access. 

“The construction of the wave wall, pedestrian path and associated public access points to the beach are welcomed by the Cooks Hill SLSC members and the wider community we serve. Safe access to the beach is paramount for everyone and this work will provide a secure and accessible environment for beachgoers,” Mr Clancy said. 

"The enhancements will not only protect the shoreline but also provide some additional protection to community assets we all enjoy.” 

Following the 2022 storm, City of Newcastle carried out emergency works at Bar Beach to keep the clubhouse and facilities usable, reinstate staircase access to the beach, return vehicle access and introduce safety measures to protect beachgoers from the drop off from the promenade such as barriers and later, new fencing. 

City of Newcastle has received $1 million in funding from the Australian and NSW governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to remediate Bar Beach, and will invest more than $1.7 million to deliver this stage of works. City of Newcastle continues to work with coastal experts to develop a Coastal Management Program from Nobbys to Burwood beaches.