Coningham Beach
Erosion due to sea level rise: Coastal
erosion is a natural process. Future sea level
rise will cause waves to penetrate higher up
the beach exposing more of the bank behind
the beach to erosion. Without intervention,
over the next thirty years or so, sea level rise
will cause the coastline to retreat inland,
threatening the trees, car park and homes.
Erosion due to runoff: In heavy
rainfall events, surface water flowed
from the car park and roads over the
bank causing erosion. Council has
upgraded the stormwater system
to capture uncontrolled runoff and
discharge it directly to the beach.
What is coastal erosion?
Coastal erosion is a natural process in which the removal of beach and dune material causes a
loss of land along the shoreline. Strong winds, changing wave conditions, high tides and storms
all contribute to coastal erosion and as a result, the coastline continuously changes over time.
Climate change is predicted to worsen coastal erosion. Sea level rise will speed up the process
as waves reach higher up on the beach and the bank behind. Other impacts of climate change
include changes to the frequency, severity and distribution of storms, which will lead to the loss
Erosion due to
storm surge:
During a storm
surge or king
tide these waves
batter the coastline
undercutting soil
from the bank.
This sand bagging
project aims to
protect the beach
from these hazards.
Erosion due to foot traffic: Walking
across and down the bank to access the
beach damages the soft embankment. This
contributed to bank collapse and notches
forming along the bank. Council has fenced
the bank to protect it from erosion.
of some sandy beaches and the flooding of low-lying areas.
Coastal erosion due to sea level rise at Coningham Beach. Photo: Climate Planning
Coastal erosion and Coningham Beach
This narrow sandy beach is backed by clay and gravel sediments which are vulnerable to coastal
erosion. Surface water runoff, and foot traffic to and from the beach, has caused large eroded
notches to appear. In recent years, Coningham Beach has been impacted by significant storm
events and in 2014 it was declared a high hazard erosion area. The land behind the
Causes of coastal erosion at Coningham Beach. Photo: Climate Planning
beach is made up of soft sediments which have the potential to erode and not be
replaced, meaning the beach could move back approximately 10 meters in
response to sea level rise. This presents an immediate risk for black gums
along the bank and a longer-term risk for the car park and road.
Protecting Coningham Beach
This beach with its natural setting is an iconic and much loved
A swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) perched in a black gum.
During the breeding season they feed on the nectar of blue
gums and black gums like those above us. Photo: J. J Harrison
Coningham Beach experienced a ‘King’ high tide event on the 24th of
January 2011. Sand bags and replanting of coastal vegetation were
used to protect the shoreline against erosion. Photo: P. Donaldson
place to visit. Kingborough Council is actively engaged in
protecting Coningham Beach from coastal erosion. In 2012,
council upgraded the stormwater system and built a channel
behind the beach called a swale, which collects, filters and reduces
stormwater runoff from the car park. The next project involves
installing sandbags at the back of the beach and planting coastal
species to reduce the erosive impact of wave action on the bank. The
Coastal erosion
is threatening
several black
gums which are
important habitat
for the Critically
Endangered Swift
Parrot.
sandbags have a lifespan of between 5 to 15 years and will provide the
beach with temporary protection whilst a longer-term coastal strategy is
developed.
The black gums (Eucalyptus ovata) along Coningham
Beach bank are currently under threat from coastal
erosion. Large storm events are eroding away the sand
which supports these trees. Photo: Climate Planning
Initial stages of the sand bagging project have been undertaken by council to protect Coningham Beach from coastal erosion. Photo:
Kingborough Council
Kingborough Council is Managing Coastal Hazards in partnership with
Landcare and Coastcare groups across the municipality.
For more information about the Coningham Beach Project visit our
website. To report an issue, phone 03 6211 8200.