Other Investigations
A range of other factors will be considered in the coastal zone study including:-
Ecological Factors
Relevant ecological factors will be considered in the study based on field inspection and analysis of a range of data sources. Field inspections will be undertaken to identify key interactions between ecological processes and the coastal zone based primarily on a review of available information.
GIS data and historical aerial photographs will be analysed in conjunction with the hazard extents calculated for coastal inundation/wave attack and geotechnical failure in order to provide an indication of the likely extent of any direct impacts on existing dune and estuarine vegetation.
The available data to be analysed includes:-
- flora and fauna species records, with an emphasis on threatened and protected species,
- coastal vegetation regions (aquatic and intertidal; e.g. estuarine wetlands, seagrass, mangroves, dune vegetation),
- endangered ecological communities, critical habitat, endangered populations and other coastal communities protected under the various SEPPs (where present), and
- the condition (or 'health') of Wollongong's coastal lagoons and estuaries.
Condition assessments of dune vegetation and fringing estuarine wetlands will be undertaken based on site inspections and a review of available data including aerial photography, GIS and previous studies. Dune restoration activites undertaken in the 1980's following a series of severe storms in the 1970's has significantly influenced the present condition of a number of beaches in the Wollongong region.
An overview of the condition of Wollongong’s coastal lagoons and estuaries will be provided, including consideration of the following characteristics:-
- estuary character/classification,
- entrance condition (i.e. permanently open, intermittently open),
- habitat types present,
- catchment land use,
- water quality,
- presence/absence of Acid Sulfate Soils, and
- tributaries and estuary size.
Values, Use and Significance of the Coastal Zone
The relationship people have with the coastline and the manner in which they value it is driven by various factors such as the types of activities they do there, the landscape character and views. These issues will also be discussed based on a review of available community values surveys.
In addition, the manner in which people use the coastal zone will be assessed via the following information sources:-
- demographic data from the 2006 Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics,
- records of recreational usage and recreational infrastructure,
- land use (including both historical and current land use) and mapping of existing infrastructure, and
- consultation with relevant commercial organisations (e.g. Chamber of Commerce).
The review of available information will focus on identifying existing infrastructure and key features of the coastal zone. A benchmarking exercise will be undertaken whereby hazard extents relating to coastal processes are overlain over mapping of existing infrastructure to identify potential impacts. The assessment will also include consideration as to how coastal processes may have impacted on infrastructure in the past.
Economic Factors
A wide range of data sources will be investigated to determine the location and significance of infrastructure will be impacted by coastal hazards now and into the future. The assessment will also consider if there has been any historical changes in land use due to coastal hazards.
Cultural Heritage Factors
Sites and items of Aboriginal and European heritage significance which may be influenced by present and future coastal processes will be identified. Heritage items will be identified (where appropriate) following a review of a range of existing data sources, including available mapping of heritage sites and conservation areas. Some limited consultation will also be undertaken to assist in identifying cultural heritage values associated with the coastal zone. A benchmarking process similar to that outlined above will be used to identify sites of heritage significance that may be vulnerable to coastal processes. .
Figure 1 - The recently completed seawall at Brighton Lawn Reserve (photo) was designed using the outcomes from an extensive study which addressed coastal hazard, climate change, ecological, social, economic and heritage factors. The coastal zone study will address similar factors for the whole of the Wollongong Local Government Area.