Search Site:

IN THIS SECTION

Virtual Field Trips

East Head

4. New Bank

This is currently the weakest spot of East Head and has been the focus of much attention over the last few years.

Management practices in neighbouring sections of the coast have caused less material to be available to be transported by wind and waves to this part of East Head and so the dunes have not been replenished.

Aerial view of breach

Rock Berm

In 2000 a rock berm was constructed along the eastern side of the Hinge to prevent the sea breaching this area and causing a new tidal channel to form. This would have resulted in East Head becoming an island and large quantities of sediment being redistributed and possibly affecting the deepwater channels. Planning permission was given for the berm to remain for 5 years.

Old dunes marked by posts

Dune Progression

This posts show where the dunes extended to approximately
20 to 30 years' ago.

October 2004 the remaining dune cliff that was flanked by the berm

The recharged Hinge

October 2004

The sandbank that you see at this location is quite a new structure. It was created in June 2005 after a stormy high tide in October 2004 had washed away the final narrow bank of dunes.