The first of its kind on the State's coast, a trial to build a buffer from sand transferred from the Winda Woppa stockpile on to the beach is now underway.

A three week renourishment test period of the sand transfer project began earlier this week.

The project, jointly funded by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, MidCoast Council and the Department of Primary Industries Crown Lands and Water, aims to provide a temporary buffer from erosion on the beach for this winter season.

Southerly winds and swells, which usually arrive on the East Coast during weather characterised by low pressure systems, cause the sand to be stripped from Jimmys Beach.

It's planned to renourish the beach using the sand transfer system again as required later this year.

Council has faced an ongoing battle to provide a sand buffer for the best part of 30 years on Jimmys Beach, one of the State's 12 identified coastal erosion hotspots.

With community support strongly behind the preservation of the existing beachfront, council has pursued a program of sand renourishment of the beach after each storm event, trucking sand in along the beachfront.

"Sand renourishment has been identified as the most efficient way to provide a buffer for Jimmys Beach, and has the advantage of preserving the beach for people's enjoyment," MidCoast Council coastal management co-ordinator, Andrew Staniland said.

With that in mind, and after extensive investigations into all types of options for controlling erosion, it was determined that the sand transfer system was viable for Jimmys Beach.

It provided a more reliable source of sand that was readily available when required and was a cheaper option than trucking sand.

Thanks to the joint funding arrangement, construction of the sand transfer system began in July 2018.

"All beaches are unique, and while the sand transfer system is the best management option for Jimmys Beach, it may not be suitable for other eroding beaches on the Mid Coast," Mr Staniland said.

"This system is not designed to stop the erosion, however, it will continue to provide a temporary sand buffer along The Boulevard part of the Beach far more effectively than previous trucking campaigns."

For more information on this project and MidCoast Council's other coastal management programs, please visit the website.

Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Great Lakes Advocate newsletter here.