We are well into the fourth year of our beach-survey project and now have the results of fifteen surveys taken quarterly from January 2012 through to April 2016.
As you can see from the Headlines below the results are really encouraging. However, we do need to bear in mind that (i) the survey data can only be indicative as its measurements are taken every 100-200 metres and (ii) four years of data is a relatively short period over which to measure.
Headlines from the latest survey data are:
1. Overall, Wooli beach is growing not eroding. The survey data over the past four years indicates the total volume of sand on the beach, above the Mean Sea Level, has increased from approximately 1.06 million cubic metres (cbm) to 1.27 million cbm . That is, a growth in volume of 210,000 cbm (about 20%).
2. From the Wall to the southern end of the village, the volume increased by 14, 900 cbm (12%).
3. From the southern end to the dive boat jetty, the volume decreased 6,750 cbm (5%).
4. From the jetty to the Main St – River Rd fork, the volume increased by 49,775 cbm (30%).
5. From the fork to the northern end of the village, the volume increased by 32,465 cbm (16%).
6. From the northern end to Wilsons Headland, the volume increased by 120, 240 cbm (28%).
Thanks once again to Brian Saye and the beach survey team, not only for their ongoing efforts in accurately mapping changes in the beach but also for increasing the number of measurement segments in the survey by 25% in 2015-16. Brian noted that the percentages above relate to 0m AHD as adopted in the sand sourcing study. This effectively means the changes are relative to the Mean Sea Level.
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