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Projects
The Directors of Sanctuary Beach have
conducted hundreds of consultancies.
TA
4965-IND: Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Project: India
•
Purpose: Design of environmentally-friendly coastal protection measures to
support the preparation of the “Sustainable Coastal Protection and
Management Project” in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
•
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank (ADB), undertaken by Prof Black and Dr
Mathew with a large Indian support team
•
Description: The Government of India requested Technical Assistance (TA)
from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to prepare a project for Sustainable
Coastal protection and Management. The TA was to support the Government’s
National Coastal Protection Project (NCPP) by assisting the states of
Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa in preparing technically, economically,
environmentally and socially viable investment proposals to address coastal
erosion and introduce procedures for sustainable coastal protection and
shoreline management. The TA programme designed 5 site specific coastal
protection measures (Ullal, Karnataka, Colva, Goa, Coco, Goa, Utroda-Majorda,
Goa and Mirya Bay, Maharahstra)
based on detailed coastal process studies, environmental and social impact
assessments, institutional and financial impact analyses. The consulting
services were provided through a team of international and national
consultants.
Based on the TA studies, a multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the
Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program (SCPMIP) was
approved by ADB on 29 September 2010 for an amount of $250 million to be
implemented over a period of 8 years. The investment programme is designed
to facilitate the transition from hard rock protection solution with softer
coastal protection solutions, which are environmentally appropriate and
sustainable.
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Multipurpose
Reef at Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram District ,
Kerala, India
• Purpose:
Design of an offshore multi-purpose reef for sustainable coastal
protection, improved ecology and tourism.
• Sponsor: Government of Kerala, undertaken by Prof Black and Dr Mathew
with a large Indian support team.
• Description: In response to the increasing occurrences of beach erosion
along the Kerala coast, the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala in
association with the Harbour Engineering Department has implemented a
submerged multi-purpose reef at Kovalam to
protect the beach from erosion while simultaneously achieving other
enhancements such as enhanced ecology, healthy sporting activities and
maintaining the beauty of the beach for tourists and the many residents who
live along the foreshore. After substantial investigations and
consultations, a site-specific coastal protection option, a “multipurpose
submerged reef” was designed with due consideration for sustainability,
environmental, ecological, and social aspects.
Construction of the Kovalam multi-purpose reef -
India’s first multi-purpose reef - started in December 2009 and was completed
by February 2010. The reef was constructed using non-woven geotextile
containers filled with sand. A total of 28 sand-filled geocontainers
(each weighing about 300 tonnes) were individually placed on the sea bed in
a carefully arranged, single layer configuration. There has been
substantial monitoring of the reef project since its completion including
beach profile and fishery surveys. The project has met its objectives.
The Kovalam multipurpose reef proved to be a
far-reaching and influential project which changed the way beaches are
managed forever. The seminal project has come to the limelight of coastal
protection and coastal zone management agencies in India including the
Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Govt. of
India, Coastal Protection Development Advisory Committee (CPDAC), research
and academic institutions, tour operators and has attracted many national
and international visitors to the site. Coastal protection agencies and
researchers from other maritime states have visited the Kovalam
reef site to replicate similar projects in their state and the
implementation of similar projects in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra and Ullal, Karnataka are in advanced stages. We acknowledge
the many people who helped with this project.
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Marine
EIA Beach Improvement works, Seychelles
•
Purpose: Emirates Airlines wished to develop and enhance the beach and
embayment for a proposed resort at Baie Ternay, in western Seychelles.
• Sponsor: Emirates Airlines and Mirage Resorts
• Description: Proposed marine works include the construction of boating
and swimming channels and a higher quality beach. Currently, the site is
partially muddy and very shallow. Beach profiling (Arup Sigma) shows a very
narrow beach face (6% or 1:14). Moreover, the interior of the Bay is
shallow, being exposed at low tide for up to 380 m from the shoreline. This
wide sand platform is not suitable for swimming or boating. To deepen this
region will require dredging of channels and the beach will need
re-alignment, construction of structures and nourishment. The project is
yet to be implemented.
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Channel
Sedimentation Investigation: Touessrok Resort,
Mauritius
• Purpose: To find better solutions for maintenance of channels and the
swimming area in a 5-star resort.
• Sponsor: Sun Resorts Ltd.
• Description: Le Touessrok Resort in Mauritius has
beautiful white sand beaches which are popular with guests. However, these
same sands are causing infilling of the channels between the “Island”
accommodation and mainland. Maintenance dredging was tested by the Resort in
2012, but the channels rapidly filled with sand over a very short period of
3-6 months. The resort owners turned to Arup Sigma with Sanctuary Beach to
find a better long-term solution. The study considered the sedimentary
environment, historical sand movement and likely consequences of further
maintenance dredging or alternative works.
Recommendations
providing alternative solutions for Sun Resorts Ltd were identified
including construction of a seawater, natural-sand
pool which blended with the Resort’s existing facilities. We acknowledge
the care and interest of the Touessrok Resort
management.
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La
Balise Marina: Sedimentary Investigation,
Mauritius
• Purpose: To recommend better dredging practices at the Marina.
• Sponsor: Dolphin Coast Marina Estates Ltd.
• Description: The La Balise Marina is a
development of quality homes with artificially-created canals and marinas
at the Black River, Mauritius. This property development is worth an
estimated total value of 4.7 billion rupees (about 120 million Euros). Mr
Derick Steinhobel of Arup Sigma Ltd was asked to review the marine works
and channels. He identified several issues of concern and the client asked
Prof Black to provide further insight. Recommendations were made about
maintenance dredging and improved methods of dredging and handling of muds.
• Year of completion: May 2013
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Field
studies and numerical modelling to support the design of a major
desalination plant in Victoria, Australia.
Client:
GHD and State Government Victoria
Main Project Features: Victoria was struggling with drought water shortages
and so the government chose to develop a desalination plant. Under
Victorian, regulations, substantial studies had to be undertaken including
2 years of field data collection (currents, waves, sediment etc.),
laboratory studies and one of the world’s most comprehensive and technical
modelling studies. The models simulated from micro-scales around the saline
outfall, to the entire Victoria coast to assess impacts on marine life,
phytoplankton, dilutions, diffuser design and coastal impacts. Prof Black
and his team were the sole providers for the marine studies and they led
one of the largest studies ever undertaken in the State of Victoria. The
resource consent for the desalination plant was granted without appeals.
Activities
Performed: Field investigations, laboratory studies and computer modelling.
Year:
2010
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Development
of hydrodynamic and primary production models to define Aquaculture
Management Areas and determine the impacts of large scale aquaculture in
the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Client: Environment Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Description of the project: As new legislation developed in New Zealand
following the Aquaculture Management Act of 2001, our consultants were chosen
to identify the present state of the Bay of Plenty in primary production
terms through a detailed field programme and computer modelling. The
project identified a wide range of factors likely to arise from potential
development and operation of offshore aquaculture in the Bay of Plenty.
Surveys worked to establish a present-day snap-shot of the Bay in
geological, hydrodynamic, nutrient, ecological, and socio-economic terms.
Calibrated numerical models were established to simulate the dynamics
within the Bay of Plenty including primary production and nutrient cycling.
Proposed mussel farms were simulated under a wide variety of scenarios to
test the feasibility of sustained aquaculture amidst the variability of
future climate change.
Main activities: Planning and execution of field programmes, numerical modelling
and reporting, and interaction with government, Iwi and local stakeholders,
monitoring environmental health within the Bay of Plenty, provide wave
forecasts to local authorities, and consult with concerned parties and
stake-holders as developments occur. Our thanks go to Peter Longdill who played an important role in this project.
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Water
quality improvement models as a decision support tool for the environmental
protection Authority in Victoria, Australia
Client: EPA Victoria; Melbourne Water, Australia
Description of the project: Our consultants were chosen to develop and
integrate a receiving water quality model for use by the Victorian EPA which
was able to simulate the marine dynamics of the receiving waters of the
Port Phillip and Western Port Bay catchments. A four-fold coupling of
catchment hydrographic, marine hydrodynamics, Lagrangian
particle dispersal, and primary production models were linked together to
create a broad “water quality model” for use as a dynamic decision support
tool. The water quality model is able to address critical issues within the
two bays at a wide range of spatial resolutions. The receiving water model
includes input from 50 rivers and drains within the catchment able tracks
the movement of river loads such as suspended sediment, toxicants,
pathogens, and nutrients. The level of sophistication of the water quality
models rivals any in the world utilizing fully stratified 3-dimensional
hydrodynamics including atmospheric-heat exchange and remote-sensing
satellite-aided “corrective-steering” schemes. Our extensive experience
with modelling coastal processes coupled with the freedom and usability of
custom-written software packages were major factors which allowed us to
achieve the project goals. We thank Dr Randall Lee for his extensive
participation in the project.
Main activities: Numerical modeling, set-up of
the numerical models and training of EPA staff to operate them in-house.
..........
Noosa
Foreshore Erosion Prevention, Noosa, Australia
Client:
Noosa Shire Council
Main
Project Features: Noosa is one of Australia’s most pristine beaches with a
major tourism industry based around the foreshore. The beach has been
eroding for 3 decades and the Council have placed over $10 million of new
sand to maintain the beaches but the sand keeps washing away. The project
requirements were to develop a nearshore soft coastal system, including a
geotextile reef.
Activities Performed: Coastal Process Studies, Numerical Modelling and
Submerged Berm Design. The designed offshore reef solution is yet to be
constructed. We thank the engineering department of Noosa Shire Council for
their valued input.
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Heavy
Mineral Budgeting and Management at Chavara,
Kerala, India
•
Purpose: Studies to provide insight into the volumes of sediment being
brought inshore by natural wave and current processes.
• Sponsor: Indian Rare Earths Ltd., Mumbai, undertaken by Prof Black and Dr
Mathew with a large Indian support team.
• Description: Sand mining of the rich minerals in the black beaches of
Kerala is very important to the local economy and so sustainability without
causing beach erosion is an essential prerequisite. To fully understand the
environmental issues, the client sought advice from Sanctuary Beach
consultants. This was a 3-year program including technical field
measurements, scientific data analyses and numerical modelling of beaches and
the inner shelf. 2D and 3D computer models were used to determine the
volumes of sand arriving at the mining sites by natural processes so that
detailed sand budgets could be established for a sustainable industry. The
study also gave a detailed understanding of the hydrodynamic processes of
the southwest coast of India, particularly the annual beach erosion and
accretion patterns. Based on the study outcomes, five research papers were
published in international journals. We would like to thank our scientific
friends at the Centre for Earth Science Studies in Trivandrum, Kerala.
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Gold
Coast Coastal Protection and Surfing Reef (Australia)
•
Studies to design the world’s first coastal protection and surfing reef.
• Gold Coast City Council.
• The Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise economies are based on beach tourism
and associated tourist infrastructure. Consequently, the beaches are
nurtured and maintained by nourishment and well planned construction. The
Gold Coast Reef project involved designing the world’s first offshore reef
to amalgamate coastal protection with surfing, diving, swimming,
windsurfing and other water sports. The design of Prof Black won the
State’s Environmental Award in 2000. The award was shared between the
designers, construction team and the Gold Coast City council.
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Independent
Expert Group, Channel Dredging, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia
Client:
State Government of Victoria
Main Project Features: The Port of Melbourne wished to deepen the entrance
channels into Port Phillip Bay to allow the entry of large container ships.
Prof Black was chosen to sit on the 5-person “Independent Expert Group
(IEG)” which had the role of assessing and approving all technical studies.
Over $70 million was spent by the government on scientific assessments. The
IEG was responsible for determining if the work was satisfactory, accurate
and providing sufficient knowledge to enable the project to proceed. The
IEG was granted key powers as the members sat between the consultants,
government and public in what proved to be a highly controversial and
complex project over a 3 year period. The project went forward and
environmental monitoring is still underway. Prof Black acknowledges the
input from other advisers on the Panel.
Activities Performed: Adviser on Marine Physical Impacts
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Sustainable
Coastal Protection and Management Project II
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, India
Client: Asian Development Bank
Description
of the project: Formulate a range of coastal protection interventions
appropriate for different coastal zones of India.
Main activities: Technical support to identify prospective sub-project
sites and assist the mission leader with the concept paper. Field visits
were conducted to examine critical erosion sites in the two selected states
of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, assessment of the performance and efficiency of
exiting coastal protection structures in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and
conducted stakeholder discussions
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Wairoa beach erosion and development strategy, Bay of Islands, New
Zealand
Client:
Mountain Landing Properties, Auckland, New Zealand.
Description of the project: The purpose of the study was to seek an optimum
solution that amalgamates requirements for coastal protection, boat ramp
and jetty in a fashion that is sensitive to natural character, archaeological
value, boating needs and coastal planning
Main activities: Field investigations to identify the physical processes
that control the sediment and shoreline dynamics through numerical computer
model studies. The optimum position of a structure with minimal
environmental impacts was recommended. The study also provided long-term management
options for the protection of the beach from coastal erosion. We
acknowledge ASR Ltd for their assistance.
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Port Gisborne Expansion (NZ)
•
Studies for resource consents to expand the Port of Gisborne (NZ)
• Port Gisborne Ltd.
• Port Gisborne Ltd are continually confronting
major increases in trade through forestry exports. This requires deepening
of their shipping channels and more berths. The study involved a detailed
assessment of waves, currents and sediment movement in Poverty Bay and the
port environs. This sophisticated study used a broad range of field
measurements and numerical modelling techniques.
A
new port design was recommended with the entrance located in deeper water
and shorter shipping channels. This study extended over more than 5 years.
We thank Prof Terry Healy (University of Waikato), Ben Tahata
(Port Manager) and Bevan Turnpenny (Turnpenny Associates) for their role in this complex multi-disciplinary
study.
More recently, Sanctuary Beach has successfully undertaken/won the
following contracts:
• “Bubble” The Nutrient, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Fish Recruitment
(NPZ-F) Numerical Model, Australia, undertaken for the Australian Research
Council and Melbourne Water.
• Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme
(SCPMIP) – Tranche 1: Mirya Bay Beach
Nourishment, India.
• Design and Assistance in Implementation of Puducherry Beach Restoration Project , India.
• Climate-Resilient Coastal Protection and Management Project, India
(Financed by the Global Environment Facility) and administered by Asian
Development Bank (ADB).
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