Geotextile Bags Needed to Save Old Bar

Old Bar Beach Sand Replenishment Group (OBBSRG) was formed 12 months ago to air residents’ concerns about the erosion which has already claimed two beachfront dwellings in Old Bar, New South Wales, Australia. OBBSRG has been studying gabion systems and geotextile tubes or bags. Working with scientific groups and engineers, they’ve found many successful groyne constructions like these in Australia, and now must convince local councils that they are the best decisions. The group believes a series of six groynes constructed of sand-filled geotextile bags is the practical and economical way to protect Old Bar properties. They estimated AUS $200,000-$400,000 is needed to preserve $300 million in property and infrastructure. Not a bad investment.