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Cronulla Beach
Cronulla Beach is the longest beach in Sydney and has an extensive history of storm and erosion damage. It is also one of Sydney’s most popular beaches, being easily accessible by rail, holding significant cultural value in the shire and being a prime surfing location. But if more isn’t done to tackle climate change, Sydney’s South may lose its iconic and prominent summer day destination.
Cronulla is a thriving tourist destination, and losing the beach would have a profound impact on small businesses who rely on the economic turn over from the beach amenity, but this is something that is very likely as soon as 2050.
The average depth of Cronulla beach is just 40m, which is the same level of coastal erosion expected by 2050 if no steps are taken to reduce the impacts of climate change. This recession would reduce the depth of Cronulla Beach to the same disturbing levels that occurred after the 1974 storm surges, meaning that the beach amenity area at Cronulla would be completely non-existent.
The social implications of coastal erosion in Cronulla are huge, with the expectation of a complete loss, or at the very least substantial damage, to the sand and shoreline, Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and recreational facilities in South Cronulla. Further to this, the surf culture that puts Cronulla on the map would be extinct, with learn to surf schools and professional surfing tournaments gone completely.
Sutherland Council response
Sutherland Shire Council has almost entirely ignored their responsibility to introduce sustainable coastal management plans that respond to the risks associated with climate change. Sutherland Council has embraced the decision by the State Government in 2012 to allow council’s to select their own sea level rise planning benchmarks, rather than the recognised 40cm by 2050 and 90cm by 2100. The lack of responsibility from the Council, and lack of leadership by the State Government indicates a fundamental problem
Cronulla Beach is the longest beach in Sydney and has an extensive history of storm and erosion damage. It is also one of Sydney’s most popular beaches, being easily accessible by rail, holding significant cultural value in the shire and being a prime surfing location. But if more isn’t done to tackle climate change, Sydney’s South may lose its iconic and prominent summer day destination.
Cronulla is a thriving tourist destination, and losing the beach would have a profound impact on small businesses who rely on the economic turn over from the beach amenity, but this is something that is very likely as soon as 2050.
The average depth of Cronulla beach is just 40m, which is the same level of coastal erosion expected by 2050 if no steps are taken to reduce the impacts of climate change. This recession would reduce the depth of Cronulla Beach to the same disturbing levels that occurred after the 1974 storm surges, meaning that the beach amenity area at Cronulla would be completely non-existent.
The social implications of coastal erosion in Cronulla are huge, with the expectation of a complete loss, or at the very least substantial damage, to the sand and shoreline, Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and recreational facilities in South Cronulla. Further to this, the surf culture that puts Cronulla on the map would be extinct, with learn to surf schools and professional surfing tournaments gone completely.
Sutherland Council response
Sutherland Shire Council has almost entirely ignored their responsibility to introduce sustainable coastal management plans that respond to the risks associated with climate change. Sutherland Council has embraced the decision by the State Government in 2012 to allow council’s to select their own sea level rise planning benchmarks, rather than the recognised 40cm by 2050 and 90cm by 2100. The lack of responsibility from the Council, and lack of leadership by the State Government indicates a fundamental problem