Dunes - Coast dunes are formed by winds.  When sand is blown around by the winds then depositied back onto the beach this is called aeolin transportations. Sand Dunes protect low lying coastal area from strong waves from continuous erosions. At Cronulla beach, less than one third of the first sand dunes remain today. Sand dunes are used for recreational purposes allowing people and vehicles (4WD) to trample and destroy vegetation on the beach allowing the dunes to easily be eroded by waves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management strategies in place currently in 2016 at Cronulla Beach

• dune revegetation

• walkways/esplandes

• signs 

• fences

• seawalls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dune Revegetation - Dune erosion can destroy and eliminate the habitat of different plants and animals, starving them of food, vital nutrients for growth and a home. This essentially decreases the biodiversity of the area.

The Coast Protection Board undertook widespread dune stabilisation work in the 1970s when large dune areas were affected by wind blown sand drift. Reseach shows that Sutherland council carry out dune management strategies inclusive of:

• Drift fencing, dune revegetation controlling access to dune installation of educational signage;

• Council contractors and volunteer dune care groups carry out dune revegetation and weeding programs.  (Primary data and secondary data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walkway/ Esplande

The walkway/ Cronulla Esplande were put into place in order to save the sand dunes which provide a barrier for erosion.  (Primary data and seconcdary data) In 2014 the Cronulla Esplande experienced a $4m  refurbishment. After when the project was done in 2015, the local paper "the Leader" published: 

‘‘The Sutherland Shire Council team used robust and sensitive design elements due to the harsh environment, the design also provided a link to the heritage of the area, responded to the environmental sensitivity of the site and developed robust and distinct site specific details incorporating barrier free design.’’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs

Evidence shows that the primary source of photos taken at Cronulla Beach on display are prominent and clearly visible around the area for the community to be aware of what they should and shouldn't be doing. Educational programs are also vital to the management of dune erosion in Cronulla Beach, serving the same purpose as signs to better educate people about the threat of erosion and deposition and how to help minimise these natural and manmade forces. Sutherland Shire have put into place stricter penalties and heavier fines to encourage people to do the right thing around the sand dunes e.g keep to the pathways, no littering, staying off vegetation dunes, no dogs in certain area's of the beach. (Primary date and seconcdary data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seawall
The first seawall was constructed in 1920 at Cronulla Beach, however these concrete seawalls were not designed so well and as a result were  damaged in many storms thereafter. They were also not tall or strong enough to protect the land behind them from the incoming large waves. (Secondary Data)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seabee Wall -  The new sea wall project was developed in project milestones in stages. Stage 1 was completed in December 2012, with the bleacher seawall, stairs to the beach and the southern sunbathing area. Stage 2 was completed in September 2013. (Primary Data Secondary Data) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a construction that cost  $1.7million dollars.   It was funded to further combat the erosion at Elouera Beach.  It is on an angle and made of concrete honeycomb shapes that absorb the wave impact and then release the water back out onto the sand to combat the full force of the waves. (Primary data and seconcdary data) this wall was funded to combat further erosion at Elouera Beach.  The 34 metre long wall is on a slope and filled with hexagonal shapes to absorb the energy of a wave during a storm. This reduces the dire consequence of strong storms damaging and eroding material. Despite funding from the state, local and wider communities,  this strategies still have its cons. It must be carried out on a continual basis and therefore requires continuous funds. (Primary date and seconcdary data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fences

Fencing and walkways have been put into place to stop people from walking on the dunes at Cronulla band further contrbuting to the erosion.