24-01-2020 - Appeal No. 245 of 2019 - Final Order of Judge Rackemann · 51987.2951.01

Working Notes:
M Design and Fourteen Enterprises Pty Ltd as trustee v Noosa Shire Council -
42 Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach

5.      Aerial Photography Analysis

A review of historical aerial photography has been undertaken to assess the historical beach
movements at Sunshine Beach. Figures 4-1 to 4-9 shows aerial photographs from 1969, 1972, 1974,
1981, 1988, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2018, respectively. Superimposed over the aerial photographs it
the toe of the frontal dune (i.e. edge of vegetation mapped on 22 June 2019).

The aerial photographs from 1972 and 1974 show the beach in an eroded state and evidence of
coffee rock exposed on the upper beach. From 1974 to present the beach has slowly accreted over
54 metres. The significant erosion that occurred in the early 1970’s was associated with a period of
extreme weather conditions during which time there were a number of tropical cyclones impacting
on southern Queensland and insufficient recovery time between storms. The period from the
1980’s to present has been significantly calmer with only a few tropical cyclones impacting on
southern Queensland, as a result the beach has been able to recover.

BMT WBM (2013) observations in relation to the recovery of Sunshine Beach is supported by the
analysis of historical aerial photography. It was noted that there has been significant recovery of the
beach since the early 1970’s.

In relation to Sunshine Beach, BMT WBM (2013) noted, “The erosion threat to development is
considered low due to well established dune and vegetation buffer. In some locations the existing
vegetation line is seaward of the 1974 position indicating recovery of the hind (secondary) dune and
the gradual development of frontal (primary) dune system”.

In relation to the subject site it is also worth noting that the rear boundaries of the properties along
Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach do not follow the vegetation line. This results in a greater
vegetated buffer seaward of the subject site in comparison to the properties to the north.




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