Introduction
In comparison with many countries of the world, Australia possesses an enormous continuous coastline. Including islands, Australia's coast stretches for about 60 000 kilometres and comprises over 10 000 separate beaches. About two-thirds of the population live in the towns and cities that have been built to take advantage of the many benefits the coastline brings. Coastal management refers to the use and protection of this vast area, which is made up of marine (saltwater) and estuarine (meeting point of fresh and saltwater) ecosystems. In a constant state of evolution, these areas are naturally affected by rainfall, wind, ocean currents, waves and tidal movements.Housing and development
The construction of houses around lagoons and swamps, the use of wetlands for landfills and the development of sand dunes for 'prime' real estate and recreational purposes have all had negative effects on Australia's coastal areas. The removal of vegetation has seen a significant reduction in biodiversity and also disrupted the natural processes which form intricate coastal ecosystems.Beaches, for example, are formed by an ongoing cycle of erosion and deposition of sand. Storms erode beaches of their sand, which is then re-deposited by large waves. When humans attempt to use these areas for housing and recreation, this natural cycle is interrupted and sand banks become depleted. Over time, this has destroyed many of Australia's beautiful beaches. Cliff-top housing, although aesthetically pleasing for home-owners, is also dangerous because of its interference with these natural processes.
