Jack Evans Boat Harbour

During a twenty (20) year period after Seascape Apartments replaced their original rock wall due to erosion, beaches were nourished with sand from the harbour. This was regularly commissioned and paid for by Seascape owners.At the end of these 20 years and approximately 6 dredging episodes there was plentiful healthy seagrass , grass parkland gently sloping to sandy beaches , frequent dolphin visits indicating good fish stock and a regular turtle presence. 20 years of delight. Photograph attachedBeach nourishment was stopped on an order from State authorities in 2007.Since that time there has been massive park erosion, loss of at least four large trees, two more are currently endangered and dangerous, the rock wall at Seascape collapsed and was replaced at major cost,Seagrass beds disappeared, dolphin and turtle visits became rare and the harbour became shallower. 9 years of disaster. Photograph attachedThe reason(s) for this disaster do not include dredging and beach nourishment as these were successful for 20 years.I would suggest that you look elsewhere for the reasons for the disaster. The failing harbour groyne allows severe weather to wash into the harbour bringing sand and silt . The sand works at the river entrance may be contributing to the sand ingress and the decrease in depth.Placing more sand on the beaches will quickly mean more sand in the harbour, already much shallower than when dredging was stopped.Jack Evans Boat Harbour was artificially produced when a reach of the Tweed River was filled . Artificial areas, like canal estates, must be maintained.Dredging and beach nourishment works. Everything else has failed.

Tom and Virginia Rees