History of Kinka Beach changes: Analysis of meteorological conditions along Capricorn Coast

Kinka Beach was stabilised and some improvement of beach conditions achieved by the implementation of a "soft solution" to stabilise beach-estuary interaction. There have been several reports discussing the project itself and some monitoring of shore changes. This report summarises a 10 year period of monitoring and observation of the behaviour of the implemented project to stabilise the outflow from Causeway Lake and to improve Kinka Beach stability. As mentioned in previous reports the goal was achieved with relatively low financial cost and low maintenance. The slow process of rebuilding the beach started after the sand dam was constructed in 1988 with visible and effective dune system improvement since 1993. Between 1993 and 1997, 80 percent of the rock wall was completely buried under the naturally accumulated sand, and dunes have achieved their natural shape and become covered with grass and shrubs. There is a visible increase in dunes and dry beach (above MHWS mark) width. Analysis of the wind conditions for the last 40 years proved that the positive change to the beach stability and the significant accumulation of sand in the area of Kinka Beach was the result of human action rather than climatic changes. The frequencies of strong wind (over 10 mls) do not show any long term trend of increasing or decreasing, and their dominant direction is very stable.