Central Kirra Beach

N

Kirra Beach Coolangatta Beach

Kirra Reef Outcrops Kirra Point

Aerial Photography of Kirra Reef, 1930 to 2011

Pre-1960s (prior to the extension of the Tweed River training walls and the construction of Kirra Point groyne,

i.e., the ‘natural’ sand supply condition)

• Good sand cover on Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches (note: covers fluctuate naturally with varying wave activity)

• Kirra Reef partially covered by sand (extent of which also varies naturally with wave activity)

07 September 1930

02 April 1946

04 January 1955

(after the extension of the Tweed River training walls construction

• Both Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches retreat

• Kirra Reef becomes increasingly exposed

1962-1971 the extension of the Tweed River training walls (1962-1965) but prior to

construction, i.e., a depleted sand supply condition)

Both Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches retreat

becomes increasingly exposed

but prior to Kirra Point groyne

01 June 1965

16 May 1969

11 January 1970

Miles Street groyne

(after Kirra Point groyne constructionRiver Entrance Sand Bypassing Project (

• Coolangatta Beach expands as sand accumulates updrift of Kirra Point groyne

• Kirra Beaches retreat considerably, although the subsequent construction of the Miles Street groyne (1974) mitigates this for Kirra Beach (but not Central

• Pulses of sand occasionally move through in association with beach 1974/75, 1989/90 and 1995

• Kirra Reef is perennially exposed

*Note: Gold Coast City Council shortened both groynes by ~30 m in 1996

Miles Street groyne Kirra Point groyne

1972-2001 Kirra Point groyne construction (1972) but prior to the initiation of pumping

River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project (TRESBP), i.e., a depleted sand supply condition

Coolangatta Beach expands as sand accumulates updrift of Kirra Point groyne

Kirra Beaches retreat considerably, although the subsequent construction of the Miles Street groyne (1974) mitigates this for Kirra Beach (but not Central and North Kirra Beaches)

Pulses of sand occasionally move through in association with beach nourishment

exposed

Council shortened both groynes by ~30 m in 1996

pumping by the Tweed sand supply condition)

Coolangatta Beach expands as sand accumulates updrift of Kirra Point groyne

Kirra Beaches retreat considerably, although the subsequent construction of the Miles Street and North Kirra Beaches)

nourishment events in

27 September 1973

22 July 1987

19 October 1999*

(after initiation of sand pumping by beach profiles and

• Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches expand as large supplies of sand are delivered stages of the TRESBP to re-establish the previously degraded

• Kirra Reef becomes inundated by sand

2002-2008 sand pumping by the TRESBP, i.e., restoring historical pre

beach profiles and natural sand supply conditions)

Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches expand as large supplies of sand are delivered establish the previously degraded Gold Coast beach systems

becomes inundated by sand, especially the inner and eastern reefs

historical pre-training wall )

Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches expand as large supplies of sand are delivered in the initial beach systems

, especially the inner and eastern reefs

30 August 2002

13 April 2004

13 March 2008

(eight years after the initiation of

• Sand delivery volumes more closely match

• Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches retreat slightly, although Kirra Point groyne continues to hold sand on Coolangatta Beach

• Kirra Reef is partially covered by sand, especially the inner and eastern reefs that lie within the predominant sand transport pathways

• Sand volumes that had accumulated during the initial as sand migrates further along the shoreline Bilinga and Tugun Beaches to the north

2009-onwards initiation of sand pumping by the TRESBP, i.e., restoring natural sand

supply conditions)

volumes more closely match ‘natural’ sand transport rates

Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches retreat slightly, although Kirra Point groyne continues to hold

Kirra Reef is partially covered by sand, especially the inner and eastern reefs that lie within the predominant sand transport pathways

Sand volumes that had accumulated during the initial phase of the TRESBP continue to reduce further along the shoreline and goes on to replenish the long

to the north

restoring natural sand

Coolangatta and Kirra Beaches retreat slightly, although Kirra Point groyne continues to hold

Kirra Reef is partially covered by sand, especially the inner and eastern reefs that lie within the

of the TRESBP continue to reduce on to replenish the long-term depleted

16 April 2009

12 October 2009

24 January 2011