The Cronulla sea bee wall

Transcript of the Cronulla sea bee wall video

The Cronulla See Bee Wall stretches 340 metres from the northern end of North Cronulla Beach to the southern end of Elouera Beach.

Construction of the wall began in 1987. It was not the first sea wall constructed at this site, but it has been the longest lasting and most effective.

The success of the current sea wall is due to a number of clever design features.

Unlike its predecessors which were vertical, the sea bee wall has been built on a slope. This slows down and decrease the energy of the incoming waves, by increasing the surface area over which they have to travel.

The name Sea Bee comes from the honeycomb shape of the individual blocks which make it up. They have been specially designed to withstand wave action and each cement block weighs almost a tonne. The hole in the centre of the block is another feature which decreases wave energy by increasing surface area.

Over time these holes fill with sand and vegetation, which also help to absorb wave energy. During storms this sand is displaced and gradually builds up again over time.

The Sea Wall is topped by a concave concrete wall which deflects any storm waves that might reach the top. It runs along the edge of a concrete pedestrian footpath. Any water that does make it over the wall can return to the ocean through drainage channels.

Initial construction of the wall in 1987 cost more than $1.7 million. Since then it’s been repaired a number of times including in 2009 when it cost $4.6 million to repair, and most recently in 2017 when it was estimated that the wall would require an additional $1 million worth of repairs.

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