Beach nourishment and coastal protection along the Gold Coast, Australia: a case study at Palm Beach

Abstract

Effectively managing coastal beaches in areas exposed to high wave climate variability requires an appraisal of all the stakeholder interests and consideration of the above into a decision making framework. The popularity of the Gold Coast beaches as a national and international tourist destination as well as the increasing residential population ensures that the care of beaches maintains a high priority for the local government. Lessons learned from past management strategies are reviewed and a new methodology for assessment of beach condition is presented here which integrates the primary descriptors of beach health for the Gold Coast region of Australia's East Coast.