Surf Life Saving Queensland Magazine We asked Julian to delve into the effects of climate change on Queensland shores. “Climate change poses significant threats to our beaches, potentially increasing our existing challenges and introducing new risks to coastal communities. As temperatures rise, oceans expand, leading to higher sea levels which will cover many of our beaches along our shores. The warming atmosphere holds more moisture, potentially intensifying rainfall and runoff, which can bring sediments down river systems to nourish beach sand, but it can also bring pollutants, and debris onto our beaches.” “As lifesavers and lifeguards, it’s important to monitor and consider how the change in conditions could impact your operations. An issue could arise from the formation of new beaches leading to increased popularity among the local communities. As sediment shifts, and rain and runoff change we might see poorer water quality in some areas or the reduction of sand to other beaches, altering the popularity of beaches”. “We may also see stronger storms and tropical cyclones, driven by warmer ocean temperatures, which will further exacerbate erosion and reshape coastlines, impacting beach accessibility and safety. These changes are not uniform, with localised hotspots experiencing more pronounced effects. The good news is coastal councils and governments are aware of these threats and are implementing adaptation measures to protect our beaches, but the dynamic nature of climate change demands continued proactive management to ensure the resilience of our coastal environments.” LET’S CUT TO THE CHASE - HOW DOES THE MOVEMENT OF SAND AFFECT OUR JOBS ON THE BEACH? The movement of sand along Queensland’s beaches is a dynamic process that presents us all with several challenges. Additionally, man-made structures designed to mitigate coastal erosion and adapt to changing conditions can introduce further complexities!
challenging our ability to monitor swimmers and detect signs of distress.
Limited Access Points: Beach erosion and sand deposition can obstruct or alter access routes for equipment and emergency vehicles, affecting our ability to patrol. Man Made Interventions: Man-made structures, such as seawalls, groins, jetties, and breakwaters, are often implemented as coastal management strategies to mitigate erosion, control sediment movement, and protect infrastructure. While these structures can be effective in stabilising coastlines and reducing the impacts of waves and currents, they also present challenges. Seawalls, for instance, may create hazardous rip currents or strong lateral currents along their edges due to wave reflection and deflection. Groins and jetties can alter natural sand movement patterns, leading to the formation of sandbars or erosion in adjacent areas. Another issue is beachgoers who try to walk, climb or jump off structures and get into trouble!
Here are some key challenges include:
Shifting Rip Currents: Changes in sandbars and beach profiles can alter the formation and intensity of rip currents. We must constantly monitor these shifts to identify hazardous areas and inform beachgoers about rip current risks. Unpredictable Underwater Landscapes: Sand movement can create submerged hazards such as sandbanks, troughs, and deep holes, affecting water depth and underwater topography. We need to navigate these changing features during patrols for hidden dangers or sudden drop-offs that pose risks to swimmers and rescuers alike.
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Loss of Visibility: Erosion and sediment can reduce water clarity and visibility along the coastline,
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