What is the council doing?
In 2002-2003, the Sutherland Shire Council developed a Bate Bay Management Plan, developing strategies, objectives and actions in order to carry out medium to long-term preservation of the coastal area.
How are they doing it?
The council aims to address coastal erosion within the coastal area of Bate Bay through a combination of several different activities. The coastal area between Cronulla and North Cronulla Beach was to be replenished with sandy materials, and a sea wall is to be re-constructed on North Cronulla Beach along Prince Street, as shown in Fig 5.1 and 5.2, starting in 2008. Furthermore, the stability of the Cronulla stormwater systems is to be ensured, as well as being maintained, in order to minimise the erosion caused through stormwater overflow.
In 2002-2003, the Sutherland Shire Council developed a Bate Bay Management Plan, developing strategies, objectives and actions in order to carry out medium to long-term preservation of the coastal area.
How are they doing it?
The council aims to address coastal erosion within the coastal area of Bate Bay through a combination of several different activities. The coastal area between Cronulla and North Cronulla Beach was to be replenished with sandy materials, and a sea wall is to be re-constructed on North Cronulla Beach along Prince Street, as shown in Fig 5.1 and 5.2, starting in 2008. Furthermore, the stability of the Cronulla stormwater systems is to be ensured, as well as being maintained, in order to minimise the erosion caused through stormwater overflow.
Photographs Obtained from http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Building_Development/Works_and_Projects/Projects/Reconstructing_the_Prince_Street_Seawall
How are they going about doing it?
The Shire council’s plans have been quite successful, with a majority of the planned activities being carried out. In 2007, the council replenished the coastal areas within Bate Bay with approximately 90,000 cubic metres of beach sediment sourced from Port Hacking navigation channels to provide the beaches protection from exogenic processes, especially from the winter storms. Additionally, in 2008, the sea wall was re-constructed and completed in 2010, as shown in Fig 5.3, providing protection to Prince Street and the infrastructure behind it. However, based on available research, there is no evidence that the council has made any changes attempting to improve Cronulla’s stormwater drainage system to reduce erosion caused by stormwater overflows.
The Shire council’s plans have been quite successful, with a majority of the planned activities being carried out. In 2007, the council replenished the coastal areas within Bate Bay with approximately 90,000 cubic metres of beach sediment sourced from Port Hacking navigation channels to provide the beaches protection from exogenic processes, especially from the winter storms. Additionally, in 2008, the sea wall was re-constructed and completed in 2010, as shown in Fig 5.3, providing protection to Prince Street and the infrastructure behind it. However, based on available research, there is no evidence that the council has made any changes attempting to improve Cronulla’s stormwater drainage system to reduce erosion caused by stormwater overflows.
Fig 5.3 Photo sketch of the sea wall that was constructed by the Sutherland Shire Council in 2011.
Source <Own Work>
Source <Own Work>
Evaluation
In order for the Sutherland Shire Council to succeed in addressing coastal erosion, the following criteria must be met:
1. Successfully implement all their planned objectives within the Bate Bay coastal area
2. Conduct their coastal management activities in a feasible and viable manner.
The council has clearly implemented a majority of their management plan, successfully constructing the sea wall and proactively replenishing the coastal area to respond winter storms. However, as there is no evidence showing that work has been done to enhance Cronulla’s stormwater drainage system, the council is unsuccessful in meeting the first criteria as not all planned objectives have been carried out. On the other hand, the council utilised an appropriate source of sandy material to replenish the Bate Bay area and completed the sea wall construction one year early, suggesting the efficiency and sustainability of the projects. Thus, the council fulfils the second criteria as it has successfully carried out their coastal management activities in a feasible manner. Overall, as the Sutherland Shire council only met one criterion, they are unsuccessful in addressing coastal erosion.
In order for the Sutherland Shire Council to succeed in addressing coastal erosion, the following criteria must be met:
1. Successfully implement all their planned objectives within the Bate Bay coastal area
2. Conduct their coastal management activities in a feasible and viable manner.
The council has clearly implemented a majority of their management plan, successfully constructing the sea wall and proactively replenishing the coastal area to respond winter storms. However, as there is no evidence showing that work has been done to enhance Cronulla’s stormwater drainage system, the council is unsuccessful in meeting the first criteria as not all planned objectives have been carried out. On the other hand, the council utilised an appropriate source of sandy material to replenish the Bate Bay area and completed the sea wall construction one year early, suggesting the efficiency and sustainability of the projects. Thus, the council fulfils the second criteria as it has successfully carried out their coastal management activities in a feasible manner. Overall, as the Sutherland Shire council only met one criterion, they are unsuccessful in addressing coastal erosion.
Glossary
Stability - State of being firmly fixed and resistant to change
Stormwater Overflow - Event in which the amount of stormwater within the drainage system is too high, resulting in an overflow in water
Feasible - Describes and activity that can be easily and conveniently carried out
Stability - State of being firmly fixed and resistant to change
Stormwater Overflow - Event in which the amount of stormwater within the drainage system is too high, resulting in an overflow in water
Feasible - Describes and activity that can be easily and conveniently carried out