Work is underway on a major rehabilitation project to help stabilise and revitalise sand dunes at Redhead Beach.
The three-month project will reshape the dune just south of the surf club, which has shifted significantly over the past three years.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Environmental Systems Brendan Callander said large volumes of sand regularly engulfed parts of the car park, as well as an outdoor shower, bike racks and the main beach access path leading from the car park to the surf club.
"We're starting by removing weed species, dead wood and debris from the existing dunes," Mr Callander said.
"After that, earthmoving equipment will reshape the dunes, reducing their height in some places and creating a flatter, wider profile with a gentler slope towards the car park behind."
An overgrown beach access path through the north-west corner of the dunes will be closed permanently, while the access path mid-way along the car park will be realigned, with new fencing and upgraded matting.
A new dune protection fence will be installed around the dune perimeter.
Mr Callander said the reshaped dunes would rise about 8.4m above sea level - about 3m lower than currently, at their highest point.
"They'll initially be planted with low-growing native species like spinifex and pigface to stabilise the dune, with larger species like acacia and banksia introduced progressively," he said.
"The aim is to create a self-sustaining cover of vegetation similar to what already exists in the dunes' north-west corner."
The southern access track leading to Freshwater Creek - also known as First Creek - will also be upgraded, while the creek itself will be realigned to reduce dune scouring.
An adjacent drainage pipe that was prone to erosion damage will be replaced with an open, rock-line swale to slow and spread stormwater running into the creek.
Wire and mesh screening will be replaced along the northern edge to reduce the amount of sand spilling into the outdoor shower area and over bike racks.
Mr Callander said a site compound would operate at the southern end of the beach car park throughout the rehabilitation project.
"We've scheduled the work during the cooler months when beach visitation is at its lowest," he said.
"Weather permitting, the project should be complete and the car park compound removed before the beach season kicks off again in September."
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