Published on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 at 9:09:00 AM
The use of Geotextile Sand Container (GSC) groynes and revetments to build coastal resilience to erosion is showing positive results on beaches north of the CBD.
The three GSC projects rolled out at St George Beach, Drummond Cove and Sunset Beach, were designed to build up sand on the southern side of the low-crest groynes while maintaining the general shoreline on the northern side.
Since the construction of a 40m long low-crest groyne at St Georges beach in 2016, the project has successfully achieved its intended purpose.
Two 35m long GSC groynes installed at Whitehill Road Foreshore in Drummond Cove nearly 18 months ago have also been performing well with the beach profile between the two groynes being preserved and the shoreline north of the groynes slowly stabilising.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said even though it was too early to tell if the Sunset Beach GSC groyne and revetment would be just as successful the signs are already there.
“Although the Sunset Beach works were only just completed in November 2019, photo monitoring of the site has already revealed sand slowing banking up on the south side of the low-crest groyne with some minor changes to the shoreline to the north of the works,” he said.
“These are promising results for our northern beaches which are subject to ongoing coastal erosion.
“Using GSCs on these foreshores means the beach can still be enjoyed and at any stage in the future, should the groynes and revetments no longer be needed, they can be easily removed.”
The use of GSCs as a coastal adaption measure is consistent with the Geraldton Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP), which is based on the requirements and adaptation hierarchy of Western Australia's State Planning Policy No. 2.6 – Coastal Planning (SPP2.6).
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