WHAT ARE VERTICAL SEA WALLS?
Beaches naturally use their dunes to replenish sand and recover from erosion events. Dunes are nature’s seawalls, they act like the precious lungs of the beach … breathing in and out with the tides. Sand is deposited, washed away. Breathe in. Breathe out. For the vast swathes of Australia’s uninhabited shoreline it’s a dynamic, natural process. But when humans build seawalls on beaches to protect private property and infrastructure, they harden the coast and remove its ability to recover naturally. One thing is absolutely certain according to coastal scientists worldwide: vertical seawalls protect land property in the short-term but, eventually, destroy beaches.
ARE THERE OTHER SOLUTIONS?
There are other ways of protecting private property that do not risk the loss of our precious beach systems. There are other less-damaging solutions such as beach nourishment and offshore artificial reefs, which have both been successfully implemented in areas such as the Gold Coast.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR BEACH?
Local community groups are on the ground at beaches around Australia. There are local planning ministers that you can contact via email and petitions you can sign. For updates visit @surfrideraus on instagram for events when they happen.
◦ SIGN THE COLLAROY PETITION
◦ SIGN THE WAMBERAL PETITION
◦ SO WHAT BEACHES ARE UNDER THREAT RIGHT NOW?
◦ WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW!