Albury Council has confirmed a revised development application will be submitted this year.

Planned works, originally mooted in 2007, were stalled in early 2011 when environmental concerns were raised.

The NSW Industry and Investment Department’s fisheries unit was worried the original design for a beach would cause erosion and damage fish habitats.

Under the revised plan, concrete infrastructure including old steps would be removed, but a bluestone retaining wall built in a work-for-the-dole scheme in the 1980s would be saved.

Mayor Kevin Mack said river users would have to wait at least another two summers for the beach to be ready for use, as funding was allocated for the 2015-16 budget.

“This will be subject to a development application process which will be submitted during 2014,” he said.

“It would form part of the Murray River Experience, a long-term plan to further enhance the section of the Murray as a first-class river parkland experience.”

Hydrological, environmental and archaeological studies were done to ensure there would be no damage to the river system with the re-creation of a sandy beach and sloping grassy bank under the previous application.

The proposed works were ticked off by other bodies including NSW Maritime Authority and Murray-Darling Basin Association, but not the fisheries unit.

The beach location is close to the Riverdeck Cafe.

“The excavated area will have turf laid on the upper sections to the high water mark and imported sand to the stream bed,” Cr Mack said.

Work would be done over winter when water levels were low.