Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often about salt runoff and the proposed works.
Isn't the ocean already salty?
Yes, the ocean is salty. Our concern is not the salt already in the ocean. It is the additional salt that continues to enter it from Kings Beach every day, without monitoring or management of any kind.
Our preliminary estimate is around 847 tonnes a year. That may sound small relative to the ocean as a whole, but the impact is cumulative: salt that enters the ocean does not leave it. Over decades, an unmanaged source of this kind adds up. Ocean salinity is also not fixed; observed salinity patterns changed measurably in the second half of the twentieth century.4
When the long-term effects of a source like this are not known, we believe the responsible course is to act before there is clear evidence of harm, not after. This is the precautionary approach taken in most areas of modern environmental management, and it is reflected in NSW law.7
Won't the salt build up behind the wall?
Salt collected on the beach side of the wall will be managed through a system of controlled drainage channels and overflow gates, which allow collected water to be managed and held during high rainfall.
Options for the long-term storage and removal of collected salt are still being assessed, and we expect this to be addressed in detail through the environmental impact assessment process. See section 4 of the Preliminary Environmental Considerations Statement (DKB-ENV-002, PDF). It is worth noting that at present the salt is not being managed at all.
What about access to the beach?
The proposal includes two designated coastal access points with stairs and handrails, so that beachgoers can continue to reach the water safely. Their exact locations will be confirmed during detailed design, and we will be seeking community input.
Will I still be able to swim and surf at Kings?
Yes. The structure would sit between the dry sand and the intertidal zone, and seawater on the ocean side would continue to move as normal. Swimmers and surfers would reach the water via the two access points.
Will this affect wildlife?
We take this question seriously. Protecting marine life is one of the reasons we are proposing this project.
The structure has been positioned to avoid the littoral rainforest and the dune vegetation behind the beach. Turtle nesting and shorebird activity will be surveyed before any works begin, and construction would be timed to avoid sensitive periods. Native landscaping is proposed at the base of the structure on the beach side.
All of this will be examined through the environmental impact assessment process. See the Preliminary Environmental Considerations Statement (DKB-ENV-002, PDF).
Who is funding this?
The estimated cost of the works is $47.2 million, including design, approvals, construction and the first ten years of monitoring and maintenance.
Dam Kings Beach will be seeking funding from the NSW and Federal Governments, alongside contributions from private sector partners. No government funding has been committed at this stage.
The campaign is supported by our founding partner, Cham's Small Meats & Preservatives, and other local partners. Details of partner support are reported to members at our Annual General Meeting.
Does Cham's have any say over the findings?
No. Partners have no role in, and no influence over, technical findings, including the independent baseline study. Our Secretary, Luca Bellanova, has declared an interest as a family member of the founder of Cham's and does not vote on related matters. See our Partnerships, Sponsorship and Conflicts of Interest Policy (DKB-POL-006, PDF).
What about the Stop the Dam group?
We are aware of the Stop the Dam – Kings Beach group (stopthedam.org) and we respect the right of every member of the community to hold a different view.
We are pleased that the group agrees there is salt at Kings Beach. Where we differ is on whether it should continue to go into the ocean unmanaged in the meantime.
We will not be responding to individual claims made online. Please read our statement of 13 October 2026, and we would ask that all discussion, online and in person, remains respectful.
How was the 847 tonnes figure calculated?
Our preliminary estimate is based on beach area, average sand depth and tidal frequency, and suggests a figure in the order of 800 to 850 tonnes per year. We use ~847 tonnes as our working figure.
The full method, assumptions and sensitivity analysis are set out in the Preliminary Salt Load Estimate (DKB-TN-001, PDF). The figure has not yet been independently verified. Establishing an accurate baseline is one of the first things we are seeking funding for.
Has the salt at Kings Beach been tested?
An independent baseline study of salt runoff at Kings Beach is the first of our next steps, and is one of the first things we are seeking funding for. Our draft Terms of Reference (DKB-TOR-003, PDF) are available for comment. We will publish the results on this website when they are available.
Why does the wall need to be six metres high?
The figure of approximately six metres above the existing sand level is a concept-stage dimension. Final dimensions will be determined through engineering, geotechnical and environmental assessment. Deeper footings are proposed to prevent salt migrating beneath the structure.
Who runs Dam Kings Beach?
Dam Kings Beach Inc. is an incorporated not-for-profit association governed by a volunteer Board and advised by a Technical Advisory Panel. Meet the Board and advisers.
How can I have my say?
Over the coming months we will be holding community information sessions and running stalls at local markets. Dates will be announced on our News page and in our project updates.
You can also make a written submission through our website at any time.
Still have a question?
We're happy to help. Contact us, browse the document register or read the full Community Summary Document (PDF).