ISSUE 1, 2022 WATER LINES protecting coastal communitiesI hope the Christmas and New Year break has been restful and a time with family and friends for as many of us as possible. At the same time, I know that COVID, our opening up and the wave of infections that is currently occurring will continue to impact on our colleagues, friends and families. I know that we all sincerely wish, and are working towards making 2022 a better year for all of us! While COVID has been the overwhelming issue in the media during 2021, climate change and it’s effects is no less important or urgent as an issue to be addressed. While it’s impacts are becoming more evident around the globe, and particularly in coastal environments, our work has never been more critical. Profound change, requiring a shift to greener and more sustainable practices that benefit communities and improve our vulnerable planet has never been more urgent. As we reflect on our year, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for the daily diligence, dedication, and exceptional professional expertise the Water Technology team demonstrates. STEVE CLARK Managing Director Welcome to our latest issue of Waterlines This edition is an example of the team's efforts supporting our clients to address a range of coastal management challenges. You will read how our passionate team have delivered innovative, long-term solutions to protect our coastal communities and to design coastal infrastructure solutions for future generations, including: Managing and mitigating against the impacts of coastal erosion A seawall upgrade for a port expansion Coast Zone Management Planning Thank you for taking the time to read Waterlines and I’d like to extend good wishes to everyone for 2022! Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the Water Technology team at any stage if we can be of assistance. 2 WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022The North Bellarine beaches are experiencing erosion, impacting the foreshore and recreational assets. This erosion is due to the combination of natural processes, severe storms and rising sea levels attributed to climate change. The Victorian Department of Environment Land and Water Planning (DELWP) commissioned Water Technology to design and provide superintendent services for beach nourishment works along the Bellarine Peninsula. This project is funded by the Victorian Government’s $8 million Port Phillip Bay Beaches Renourishment program. Buffering against storms and rising sea levels BELLARINE BEACH NOURISHMENT For more information, contact +61 3 8526 0800, Gildas Colleter (gildas.colleter@watertech.com.au ) Nicholas Tan (nicholas.tan@watertech.com.au) Six Bellarine beaches were selected for renourishment works following an independent assessment of Port Phillip Bay in 2019. Anderson Reserve Indented Head, Taylor Reserve Indented Head, Wrathall Reserve St Leonards North St Leonards St Leonards South The sand renourishment will immediately buffer storms and rising sea levels, safeguarding critical assets and infrastructure along the coastline . Increasing the width of the beaches by approximately 15 metres, the works will provide up to ten years of protection for these vulnerable sections of the coastline. The new sand will be sourced from coastal sites on the Bellarine Peninsula, where excess sand has built up over the last five years. Water Technology designed a Renourishment Program which includes a strategy to monitor, maintain and renew sand supplies at Bellarine beaches for the next 10 to 15 years. The project works with nature and harnesses the action of tides and waves to spread sand along the coast. Sand deposited at the sites will naturally shift over time, moving along and around the Bellarine coastline, providing improved beach amenities and foreshore protection from erosion. WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022 3Much-needed upgrades at the iconic coastal hamlet at Cape Bridgewater have been eagerly anticipated by the seaside community. They have been on the Council’s advocacy list for a decade. The upgrades will ensure access and long term coastal protection and provide critical infrastructure for the burgeoning tourism hotspot. In early 2020, the Glenelg Shire Council successfully secured $1.5 million from The Victorian Government through the Victorian Building Works package, with the Cape Bridgewater works to form part of the Cape Bridgewater Master Plan Infrastructure Upgrade. Water Technology was engaged to provide design services for the renewed foreshore amenities at Bridgewater Bay and technical support during the comprehensive stakeholder and community consultation process. The Infrastructure Upgrade includes: The reconstruction of a dilapidated foreshore rockwall to manage beach storm erosion to 2100. The upgraded rockwall incorporates two all-ability access ramps, two vehicle ramps, five access stairs, and sitting platforms. A viewing platform above a nearshore limestone reef. Restoration of sensitive dunes, sand fencing, revegetation and formal beach entrance points. Sealed car parking facilities between the Café and the Surf Life Saving Club and pedestrian linkages along Bridgewater bay beach. Bridgewater Bay Waterfront Upgrade foreshore protection 4 WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022Water Technology designed the foreshore works to preserve and enhance the outstanding natural attributes of the site. The design considers the aesthetic and natural textures of the nearby limestone reefs. Consequently, a palette of natural material (limestone, sandstone, bluestone) was employed to control the works' texture and colour. The coastal works meander along the beach, with several micro embayments located along the seawall. These embayments promote the restoration of beach vegetation and assist in collecting and managing wind-blown sand. An interlocked “turtle shell” finish is applied on the seawall to interface with the sandy beach. The parametric placement of sandstone blocks along the viewing platform raises the nearshore limestone platform reefs over the beach. The viewing platform was modularised to facilitate construction and reduce cost. Glenelg Shire Council engaged Mibus Bros Contractors to undertake and construct the foreshore works. Water Technology is providing superintendent services to deliver a high-quality project for generations of the community to enjoy and love. Water Technology will also be working with consultancy Urbis to deliver the next stages of the project, which includes the renewal of onshore infrastructures such as shared paths, car parks, and the amenity block's modernisation. For more information, contact +61 3 8526 0800, Gildas Colleter (gildas.colleter@watertech.com.au) WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022 5A Complex Challenge SHORELINE EROSION AT AMITY POINT The picturesque township of Amity Point is located at the north-eastern point of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia. The town's foreshore is subject to a process called retrogressive flow slides, threatening residences and foreshore property. While the cause of these slide events is not well understood, the Amity Point community has been informally managing this erosion threat for years through a system of placing rocks from the local quarry at the foreshore in what is called a Flow Slide Barrier. Whilst not following the same construction and design principles of a normal seawall, over time these works have provided sea wall style protection and effectively protected the foreshore from storm wave action. Redland City Council engaged Water Technology to undertake a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) that recognised the Flow Slide Barrier as a sufficient coastal protection structure and recommended maintaining the structure. Redland City Council accepted the recommendations and re-engaged Water Technology to scope a strategy for implementation of the SEMP. Consideration was given to the significant complexity around the implementation of the SEMP due to the various land tenures, planning legalities, native title, access and cost implications. Water Technology developed an Implementation Plan in consultation with all stakeholders, including State, Council and several local residents, that sets out how the SEMP recommendations can be executed. The key aspect that shaped the plan's development was the desire of the large majority of all parties to maintain the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the structure, as was the case in the previous decades. In order to progress with the recommendations of the Implementation Plan, Water Technology and Council are currently working on a Preliminary Approval which will provide the framework for the individual landowners to progress with their Development Applications. 6 WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022For more information, contact +61 7 3105 1460 Astrid Stuer (astrid.stuer@watertech.com.au) WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022 7NSW Coastal Management There has been a period of significant transformation for coastal and estuary management in New South Wales. With the rollout of the State’s new coastal management framework, most Councils across NSW are now embarking upon developing Coastal Management Plans (CMPs) that will lay out how they plan to manage their “coastal zone” for the next decade. The development of CMPs involves addressing the various risks and pressures facing the coastal zone and harnessing opportunities to protect and enhance the beautiful natural resources of the coast. However, “the coastal zone” is a broad term and covers not just the states 2,000 km of coastline but over 180 estuaries that punctuate the region. At Water Technology, we have been involved in many CMPs that span both open-coast and estuarine environments. In doing so, we have been able to apply our expertise and insights in some very different and innovative approaches. Coastal Zone MANAGEMENT PLANNING Open Coast Hazards The last few years have been relatively stormy by historical standards – with major coastal erosion events recorded along the coast in 2016, 2020 and 2021. Erosion hotspots like Byron Bay, Wamberal and Collaroy have all felt the pinch, leaving local and State Governments with a renewed emphasis on managing coastal hazards. With future sea-level rise and climate change impacts, it is crucial to start thinking about how we manage our coastline to adapt to current and future hazards. We recently undertook a study for Shoalhaven City Council (on the south coast), identifying adaptation pathways for some of their “at-risk” coastal infrastructure. This required consideration of erosion mechanisms and coastal sediment transport (we are sand nerds, after all) and included a detailed economic analysis to ensure that decision-making 8 WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022Estuary Management Integrated estuary management requires a “systems” approach that recognises that many risks to estuary health begin upstream across the catchment. Proactive and equitable engagement with stakeholders is crucial to achieving positive outcomes. In practice, this approach involves coordination with many stakeholders of differing roles and responsibilities across the wider catchment. Water Technology’s recent work in Coffs Harbour (on the mid-north coast) for the Woolgoolga Region Estuaries CMP is a good example of this approach. With a need to focus on urban, industrial, and agricultural land use impacts – the CMP has involved engagement with the local community, traditional owners’ groups, agricultural industry groups, Coffs Harbour City Council, and over ten different state government agencies. Using a highly collaborative approach, the CMP has been an excellent opportunity to improve coordination between stakeholders, and work together to achieve the shared goal of protecting and enhancing our estuaries. This CMP is due for completion in early 2022 and will provide innovative ways to address estuary health risks, protect the natural environment, and preserve indigenous cultural heritage. was backed up by a sound understanding of financial costs and benefits over time. This is particularly important when considering traditional hard protection structures with alternative “nature-based” solutions such as coastal dune management and beach nourishment. We presented our innovative approach to cost-benefit analysis at the NSW Coastal Forum late last year. We have recently been engaged by Shoalhaven City Council to undertake a CMP for their 165 km of open coastline and are looking forward to helping guide the future of some of the states most breath-taking natural environments. For more information, contact +61 2 8080 7346 Chris Beadle (chris.beadle@watertech.com.au) WATER LINES : ISSUE 1, 2022 9Next >