Case Study:
“Coastal
Management in
Australia.”
Student Name:
Class:
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CASE STUDY OF A CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHICAL
ISSUE.
2. COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Background to the problem:
Australia has 60,000 kilometres of coastline with over 10,000 separate beaches.
Approximately 80% of Australia’s population live in cities and towns that are in
close proximity to the coast. Over 50% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product is
produced in coastal areas. Human activities, as well as natural causes, impact
enormously on our coastal environments.
Go to: http://www.planetware.com/i/map/AUS/australia-distribution-of-population-map.jpg
Copy and paste this Image into the space below.
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1. Briefly describe this distribution of Australia’s population.
Most of Australias population is in costal regions in Australia. And most are
around the capital citys because most of the capital citys are on the water.
2.
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List 3 problems this would cause to Australia’s coastline.
Litter in the ocean
Disturbing ocean life
Killing ocean life
The majority of Australia’s World Heritage sites are located in our coastal
zone. These cultural and natural heritage sites include:
 The Great Barrier Reef
 Lord Howe Island
 Fraser Island
 Shark Island
“Fraser Island.”
Go to: http://www.tourfraserisland.com.au/un_np.php
read the web page and respond to the questions below:
1. Outline why Fraser Island is a World Heritage Site.
Because it is the worlds largest sand island and to protect the fragile
environment.
2. When did Fraser Island become a World Heritage Site?
1992
3. What did UNESCO see as being the biggest threat to Fraser Island’s
fragile environment?
Being overrun by vistors
4. Copy and paste an appropriate THREE Images of Fraser Island that
represents the unique and fragile environment into the space below.
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Problems with our Coastal Zone:
Natural Problems
Man Made Problems
* Coastal Erosion
* Coastal Storms
* King Tides and Cyclones
* Mining
* Water Pollution
* Building too close to the coast
To maintain our coastal environments we have to manage them in a sustainable
manner. “Our use of coastal resources must meet the needs of the present
population without endangering the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.”
Natural Problem: Environmental Effects of Tropical Cyclone Larry (2006).
Go to:
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/sotr/latest_updat
es/environmental_effects_of_tropical_cyclone_larry_-_prcis
read the “Summary” on the web page and respond to the following questions in
the space below:
Nature of the problem (causes):
1. Copy and paste the path of Cyclone Larry.
2. When did Tropical Cyclone Larry cross the Queensland coast?
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7am on the 20th March
3. Which town was the closest to the Tropical Cyclone?
Babindia and Silkwood
4. What Category was the Cyclone?
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5. How damaging were the winds?
Very damaging
6. Where were the winds most destructive?
Between Carins and Tully
Impacts (problems):
7. What environmental problems did Tropical Cyclone Larry create for the
coral reefs?
Coral breakage, Matrix exfoliation, torn soft coral, rubble filled gutters
8. Copy and paste the photograph of dislodged and broken coral.
9. What environmental damage was evident to the flora and fauna on
Russell Island?
Damage to vegetation, broken branches, erosion, debris were deposited.
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10. Copy and paste THREE appropriate Images of Cyclone Larry.
Responses (solutions):
11. What solution, if any, is there to the environmental damage caused by
Tropical Cyclones such as Larry in 2006.
Portable homes will be pieced together and trucked or trained into the Innisfail
region for up to 50 families still without a place to live.
Recovery task force leader General Peter Cosgrove referred to the figure as "a
handful of families" on ABC Radio.
The temporary homes will not have the amenities of a permanent dwelling, such
as basic kitchens.
The rush is now on to complete rebuilding work within nine months, before the
start of the next 'wet' season, when rains are at their heaviest and the area
becomes prone once more to cyclones.
More than 10,000 tarps still cover damaged roofs. Broken windows in hundreds
of homes are boarded up with plastic sheeting, sheets of plywood and corrugated
iron.
Posted by Darryl Mason at 12:50 AM
Man Made Problems: Water Pollution of Sydney’s Beaches.
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Go to: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach/waterpollution.htm
read the web page and respond to the following questions:
Nature of the problem (causes):
1. What problems are caused to Sydney’s Beaches by:
a. Stormwater:
When it rains contaminates including litter, cigarette butts, oil ect. flow into the
water
b. Sewerage overflow:
I cant contaminate the ocean
c. People’s usage of the beach:
“ Plastic litter, food scraps and fishing waste left by beach users can impact on
beach amenity for a considerable time, particularly at busy times of year. ”
d. Google, copy and paste THREE appropriate Images of “stormwater and
sewage overflow on Sydney’s beaches” into the space below.
Impacts (problems):
2. How would these examples of water pollution on Sydney’s beaches affect
people’s use of the beach?
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It can encourage people to change there ways and improve the way they
treat the beach
Responses (solutions):
3. How do Sewerage Treatment Works help to resolve the problem?
“ Treatment classifications range from 'primary' treatment which involves
removing solids from liquid waste to 'tertiary', the highest level, which involves
removal of solids, dissolved and suspended organic and inorganic solids,
inorganic compounds, and substances such as the plant nutrients nitrogen and
phosphorus. Disinfection, to kill pathogens, can also be added to all levels of
treatment. ”
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