SATELLITE IMAGERY FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT

The role of Planet imagery in monitoring changes to the coastal environment

Objectives

Tweed Sand Bypassing (TSB) is a joint coastal management initiative between the NSW and QLD Governments.  As part of its environmental monitoring program, TSB uses Planet satellite imagery to obtain frequent, regional-scale views of the beaches and nearshore zone to enhance the understanding of coastal dynamics between Kingcliff and Currumbin.

Outcomes

Rapid assessment after extreme weather events

Near-daily Planetscope imagery enables TSB to quickly identify significant coastal changes following storms or cyclones.  These timely snapshots help the team assess erosion impacts and shoreline recession, providing critical input into decisions around dredging,sand pumping, and operational scheduling.

Improved monitoring of coastal morphology

Satellite observations complement traditional bathymetric survey data by providing a bird's eye view of features such as beach width and sand bank distribution.  Analysis of the imagery over time is used to determine long-term trends in coastal morphology. 

Enhanced stakeholder and community engagement

Satellite imagery provides clear, visual evidence of natural sand movement and the effectiveness of TSB operations which is used to communicate complex coastal processes to stakeholders and the community in an accessible way.

"Satellite imagery allows us to clearly demonstrate how sand naturally moves along the coast and how Tweed Sand Bypassing operations support healthly beaches for the community"

Matthey Harry

Principal Manager - Tweed Sand Bypassing, NSW Maritime, TFNSW

http://www.TweedSandBypass.nsw.gov.au

PlanetScope imagery acquired from near-daily satellite availability and has a resolution of 3.7m.  For more information, contact [email protected]