Longreef and Collaroy

GEOGRAPHY ESSAY

Describe the changes that have occurred to the Long Reef/Collaroy coastal environment over time and assess the effectiveness of management practices that have been undertaken to maintain a healthy coastal zone in both these areas.

Long reef and Collaroy beach, located approximately 20 kilometres from the Sydney CBD can be found in the Northern suburbs of Sydney. Each beach has undertaken management practices in an attempt to maintain a healthy coastal zone; however the effectiveness of these management practices varies upon its ability to maintain a healthy coastal zone throughout dynamic beach environments that change considerably over time. Long reef and Collaroy beach are excellent examples of dynamic beach environments because of the changes that have been influenced by management strategies.

The changes at Long Reef beach can be best observed throughout the period from 1930-1990. During the 1940’s the dune system of Long Reef beach was flattened to allow an open vista of the ocean for defence purposes during WWII. This had a detrimental effect on Long Reef’s beach habitat, especially wildlife that lived on the coastline. The removal of the dunes threatened animals such as migratory birds and turtles and destroyed the vegetation that previously existed on both primary and secondary dunes.

It wasn’t until the 1980’s were the rehabilitation of vegetation on the dune system occurred and the Reefcare community group established. In 1985 a bushland survey identified several rare species together with threatened groups of plants on Long Reef which were not found on other Sydney Headlands. In an effort to preserve the threatened species The Warringah Council declared Long Reef Beach a Wildlife Protected Area that limited human impact and preserved the wildlife.

With the introduction of the Wildlife Protected Area, Long Reef’s land use would eventually change from one of industrial to recreational. During the 1930’s Long Reef beach was used for...