Dune at China Beach, Lewisham, 7173 - what is its fate?

China Beach is located near the mouth of the Coal River estuary, via Pitt Water, in SE Tasmania and is opposite the spit at the conjunction of Seven Mile and Five Mile Beaches. China Beach and Okines Beach are separated by China Creek. Pitt Water, a large waterway (380 km²), is predominantly tidal; numerous watercourses drain into it from a 540 km² catchment with the largest inflow being from the Coal River at the upper 'end'. Pitt Water is relatively shallow downstream from the Midway Point and Sorell Causeways albeit the main channel is deep (10 m); at lower tides the sandy seabed is often exposed over large areas. China Beach is eastwards from the estuary and has a wide low tide terrace backed by a sand dune that is eroding noticeably. Some small swell waves can occur there but that's uncommon and the conditions are relatively benign. The key influence is the predominantly northwest winds down the axis of the estuary near Lewisham and the short waves caused by same. Tides usually reach the dune toe which causes scarp slumping. Erosion of the dune has been occurring for longer than 50 years but seemingly its progress has accelerated as evidenced by the undermining of many mature trees that then topple onto the beach. Several theories have been posited about what causes the dune erosion and these are discussed in this paper. What is its fate to be? Options for remediation have been considered including sand scraping. However, that was subsequently abandoned due to the possible environmental consequences (the terrace is home to and a food source for a vulnerable bird species). This paper discusses possible revetment types for dune stabilisation although local opinion varies about whether it should be a 'hard' type or not. Time will tell!. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]