Sand dunes lost and regained

By Dr Lorraine Jones, vice-president of Helensburgh and District Historical Society

The sand hills along the coast of Australia developed after the sea ceased rising 3000 to 7000 years ago. The northern sand dune in Stanwell Park was as high as the northern cliffs adjoining the lagoon in 1900.

The sand from this sand dune was first taken over a four-year period in the 1930s to fill in the northern lagoon. This is now the area which is the recreation and vehicle parking area adjoining the kiosk. At this time the existing creek was diverted from the middle of this area to the northern edge.

Starting in 1939, the sand was also taken in many truckloads to be used in the construction of Woronora Dam. From 1960, further truckloads were taken for private use, with Wollongong Council being paid 50 cents for each truckload. This was ceased in 1972.

The barbed wire from World War II was removed from the beach. To help the sand dunes regrow, marram grass was planted in 1977 to assist this. Five years later banksia and wattle trees were planted to assist in the further growth of the sand dunes.

What we have now – smaller sand dunes – is the result of this work. Unfortunately, the heritage items of the Aboriginal middens have been permanently lost.