What were people doing?
In 2002, the Warringah Council proposed a planned extension of the existing 1.1 kilometre sea wall on Narrabeen and Collaroy beach to combat the coastal erosion threatening the life of the beach land. Through this project, the council aimed to prevent the issue of erosion from spreading and affecting the coastal infrastructure, including the houses and units, on dunes along Pittwater Road.
How were they doing it?
The council planned to dump about an extra 85,000 tonnes of sandstone on the beach, estimated to cost about $12 million.
How are they going about doing it?
The proposed seawall extension by the Warringah Council was quite clearly seen as unpopular within the community. In response to the proposal, about 3000 residents from Narrabeen and Collaroy had lined up on their respective beaches, protesting against the council's proposal. This is shown through the vertical aerial photograph on the left and the ground-level photograph on the right, both visually depicting the protest of the Narrabeen and Collaroy residents.
In 2002, the Warringah Council proposed a planned extension of the existing 1.1 kilometre sea wall on Narrabeen and Collaroy beach to combat the coastal erosion threatening the life of the beach land. Through this project, the council aimed to prevent the issue of erosion from spreading and affecting the coastal infrastructure, including the houses and units, on dunes along Pittwater Road.
How were they doing it?
The council planned to dump about an extra 85,000 tonnes of sandstone on the beach, estimated to cost about $12 million.
How are they going about doing it?
The proposed seawall extension by the Warringah Council was quite clearly seen as unpopular within the community. In response to the proposal, about 3000 residents from Narrabeen and Collaroy had lined up on their respective beaches, protesting against the council's proposal. This is shown through the vertical aerial photograph on the left and the ground-level photograph on the right, both visually depicting the protest of the Narrabeen and Collaroy residents.
Fig 4.1: Vertical aerial photograph showing how residents lined up against the shoreline from Narrabeen to Collaroy in order to strongly convey the protest.
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Fig 4.2: Ground level Photograph also illustrating people lining up on their beaches holding signs in order to succinctly communicate their opposition towards the sea wall extension plans.
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Both Photographs Obtained from Presentation, “Collaroy/Narrabeen Coastline Hazards Lines” by Daylan Cameron at a Sea Level Rise Seminar held at Royal Motor Yacht Club, 29th May 2008
Many also believe that the cultural heritage features, such as Aboriginal sites, significant parks and forest reserves, of the nearby city and environment will be jeopardized and negatively impacted if the sea wall construction is to continue. Conservatives, including Brendan Donohoe - chairman of the local branch of the Surfrider Foundation - state that despite the purpose of the sea wall aiming to protect coastal lands and minimize erosion, the structure will more likely destroy the surrounding area, shown through previous world experience.
As a result of the large community opposition to this proposal, the council came to the conclusion of not proceeding with upgrading the sea wall.
If we do nothing, what are they going to continue to do?
As the proposed sea wall extension is not to be carried out the council must speculate on the alternative methods available to protect land and property against coastal erosion.
Evaluation
As groups of people have less power than councils over the decision making in how coastal erosion can be addressed, separate criteria will be set for groups and governments.
In order for the group of Narrabeen and Collaroy residents to successfully address coastal erosion, the following criteria must be met:
1. Oppose the proposal of sea wall extension on coastal land
2. Spread awareness of the issue of coastal erosion on a local or national scale
3. Suggest an alternative solution to address coastal erosion in the local area
The group of residents have made their opinions be strongly heard, strongly protesting against the sea wall extension and attracting the attention of the media. Thus they have met the first criteria as they have made a clear stand against the council’s plans of potentially extending the sea wall. Additionally, as they have used the media to position themselves in the Sydney Morning Herald, they have fulfilled the 2nd criteria as they have effectively spread awareness of the risk of responding to coastal erosion through sea wall construction on a local and national scale through the newspaper. However, the residents focused primarily on the protest against the sea wall while not suggesting any alternate solutions to solve the coastal erosion, and therefore, failing the 3rd criteria. Therefore, the group of Narrabeen and Collaroy residents are not successful in addressing the issue of coastal erosion.
As a result of the large community opposition to this proposal, the council came to the conclusion of not proceeding with upgrading the sea wall.
If we do nothing, what are they going to continue to do?
As the proposed sea wall extension is not to be carried out the council must speculate on the alternative methods available to protect land and property against coastal erosion.
Evaluation
As groups of people have less power than councils over the decision making in how coastal erosion can be addressed, separate criteria will be set for groups and governments.
In order for the group of Narrabeen and Collaroy residents to successfully address coastal erosion, the following criteria must be met:
1. Oppose the proposal of sea wall extension on coastal land
2. Spread awareness of the issue of coastal erosion on a local or national scale
3. Suggest an alternative solution to address coastal erosion in the local area
The group of residents have made their opinions be strongly heard, strongly protesting against the sea wall extension and attracting the attention of the media. Thus they have met the first criteria as they have made a clear stand against the council’s plans of potentially extending the sea wall. Additionally, as they have used the media to position themselves in the Sydney Morning Herald, they have fulfilled the 2nd criteria as they have effectively spread awareness of the risk of responding to coastal erosion through sea wall construction on a local and national scale through the newspaper. However, the residents focused primarily on the protest against the sea wall while not suggesting any alternate solutions to solve the coastal erosion, and therefore, failing the 3rd criteria. Therefore, the group of Narrabeen and Collaroy residents are not successful in addressing the issue of coastal erosion.
Glossary
Infrastructure - Physical structures that play a vital role in a society's operations
Dunes - Pile of sand formed by loose sediment
Sandstone - Sedimentary rock that consists of sand, quartz and various other substances
Surfrider Foundation - Non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and preservation of Australian Beaches
Infrastructure - Physical structures that play a vital role in a society's operations
Dunes - Pile of sand formed by loose sediment
Sandstone - Sedimentary rock that consists of sand, quartz and various other substances
Surfrider Foundation - Non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and preservation of Australian Beaches