INTRODUCTION Long Reef and Collaroy is a dynamic coastal environment located in Sydneys northern peninsula beaches and are

approximately 20km NE from Sydneys CBD. Long Reef beach and Dee Why Lagoon are located in the southern end where else Collaroy Beach is in the northern end. These environments display a range of coastal features that have experienced significant changes over time both due to natural and human impacts. Several changes have been detrimental to the coastal environment and thus Long Reef beach, Dee Why Lagoon and Collaroy beach have been subjected to a variety of coastal management strategies. MAJOR FEATURES & PROCESSES There are several natural features that make up the coastal environment of Long Reef and Collaroy and one of the most prominent features would be the beaches themselves. These beaches have been constructed by 3 main processes which are erosion, Long Shore Drift and deposition. Likewise, these processes also play a major role in the construction of other key features surrounding the coastal environment. For instance, erosion plays a primary role in the formation of headlands and rock platforms as can be seen in the middle of the two major beaches, Long Reef and Collaroy. Depositional processes also shape the coastal features such as sand dunes (commonly primary and secondary) and a barrier beach is located in front of the Dee Why Coastal Lagoon. All of these features are present in the diagram below.

CHANGES OVER TIME There have been several changes to the coastal environment at Long Reef and Collaroy, both due to natural and human impacts, since early 20th century through to present day. In the 1920s, the primary dunes of Long Reef and Collaroy were naturally present however as the Great Depression spread throughout Australia, the dunes were heavily affected due to people collecting wood for fires and camping in the surrounding areas. This change resulted in an unstable dune system as the natural vegetation was the vital key of holding the dunes together. Furthermore, during World War 2 the dune system (both primary and secondary dunes) of Dee Why/Long Reef beach was removed to allow an open vista of the ocean as a measure to eight potential threats from invading forces. After the war, roads were built thus rapidly increasing population growth and to accommodate the growing populations needs, infrastructure was further encouraged directly on the dune system. However, as time progressed it became evident that the removal of the dunes had critically affected the infrastructure due to natural processes of wave and Aeolian erosion. Moreover, this also caused habitat removal of the native fauna therefore the dunes were reshaped and revegetated by early 1980s. Fences were created to keep access on the dunes restricted and walk ways to the beach had been established. In 1973 Dee Why Lagoon was declared a Wildlife Refuge.

EFFECTIVENESS Long Reef and Collaroy have withheld many detrimental changes throughout time that have impacted on its coastal environment. Consequently, management strategies have been implemented in order to protect from further damage (the disruption of the natural deposition/accretion cycle) if not completely restore to its original state. As a result of the evident deteriorating state of Long Reefs sand dune system, several management strategies such as re-establishment and rehabilitation of these sand dunes have been put forward. Fences and signs have been erected to keep people off the dunes and on the designated walkways. The dunes have also been completely revegetated hence revitalising a natural habitat for the wildlife. These management practices have been considerably efficient in many ways as they provide a natural dune system which protects Long Reef from wind and storm surges and simultaneously providing sand for the natural erosion-accretion cycle. On the other hand, there are ongoing expenses to preserve the re-established sand dunes. At Collaroy beach, due to the destruction of and the associated development (domestic and commercial buildings) on top of the primary dunes, a variety of management projects have been utilised. These include the ongoing processes of sand nourishment to the beach so that the sand acts as a buffer against rough storm surges. The sand is shipped in on a regular basis, to replace lost sand however this occurs at a high cost of around $5-30million. To protect further erosion of the dune system and the buildings that have been built upon them, a revetment wall has been constructed. When exposed to strong storms, the wall will act like a barrier, while concurrently helping hold the remaining land together but like sand nourishment this comes with costly expenses of $2 200 per metre. Warringah Council has purchased and demolished properties that have been built too close to the water although these strategies have had limited success as they are very expensive to implement (up to $30 million annually). The management practices put into place at Collaroy have some success in terms of minimising future impacts of storm damage but are ineffective in returning the dune system to its natural state and as always are largely expensive. RESPONSE TO MANAGEMENT In response to the management strategies initiated at Long Reef, locals could become active participants in the maintenance of the footpaths and fencing as well as looking after the revegetation process by regularly weeding the coastal flora. This also means that there will be no additional financial costs for the local council because these people are volunteers. If the vicinity undergoes neglect both individuals and groups can petition their local council and raise awareness on talk back radio stations and current affairs TV. At Collaroy, ongoing management of the area is not only costly and an exposed revetment wall is very unsightly. Consequently, individuals and/or groups could petition the council and draw attention to the matter to local members of parliament in order to appeal for the State of Federal government to allocate sufficient funds to keep on top of this issue. A common problem in Collaroy beach is that many individuals own the land but are restricted from developing the area, whether it is for domestic or commercial use. These people have legal rights to challenge the authorities through the court after all other avenues have been exhausted.