Trap the sand: artificial headland

What it does: partially interrupts northward sand movement to retain sand within the beach system.

A variety of built structures, like groynes or training walls, can do this by partially blocking sand movement.

For the northern beaches, the option being examined is headlands. These are designed to retain sand while still allowing movement through the system.

What are the benefits of this approach?

• Widens the beach and improves access over a longer stretch of coast.
• Can create new public open space, improved surf conditions and more resilient dune systems over time.
• Supports improved Oceanway connections and accessibility.

What are the disadvantages?

• Changes the look of the coastline.
• Sand movement north of the structure must be carefully managed.
• Requires careful design to balance the benefits along the wider coastline.

There isn’t a single switch to turn erosion off. The challenge is managing sand movement. This can be done by supplying sand, slowing sand, trapping sand – or a combination of all three.