Blacksmiths Beach is the largest dune system on the Lake Macquarie coastline, extending 10.4km. The beach and dune system is subject to long-term erosion, exacerbated by storms, due to its large size, low gradient and absence of headlands or other barriers. Works to rehabilitate and preserve the beach and dune system have been ongoing since the early 1990s, primarily by the local Dunecare group. The dunal system was nonexistent due to the combination of mineral mining in the 1970s and vehicle damage, and the area was heavily infested with Bitou bush. First, the Dunecare group began addressing the Bitou infestation, an effort that continued for 20+ years. Fencing to restrict vehicle access was then installed, which had an immediate positive effect on spinifex recovery. In 1993, a fore dune and hind dune were manually formed and planted out with Marram Grass and Acacia sophorae. The combination of these works successfully stabilised the dune, with the beach sustaining little damage after storm events, and native vegetation has now naturally established.

Dune replanting or construction

Method: Revegetation, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction

Rehabilitation - method: Restrict pedestrian access, Restrict vehicle access, Weed control

Revegetation - species: Ammophilla sp. (Marram grass), Acacia spp. (from seed), Cupaniopsis anacardioides (Tuckeroo), misc Eucalyptus spp.

Planting density: Marram grass 1/m2

Constructed dune width (m): Whole dune area 30m wide

Constructed dune height (m): 1-Feb