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CRONULLA BEaches
Program information
Program information
OUTCOMES - GEOGRAPHY K-10
A student:
explains processes and influences that form and transform places and environments GE5-2
analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5-3
accounts for perspectives of people and organisations on a range of geographical issues GE5-4
assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE5-5
acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE5-7
communicates geographical information to a range of audiences using a variety of strategies GE5-8
INQUIRY QUESTION
How does a coastal dune system function?
What are the causes and consequences of change at Bate Bay Beaches? How can this be managed?
LEARNING INTENTIONS
Students will:
explain processes and influences that form and transform places and environments
assess the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments
analyse management strategies for places and environments, for their sustainability
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Students can:
select and use appropriate geographical tools to collect primary and secondary data
discuss varying environmental management approaches and perspectives
On this site you will use geographical tools including field sketches, diagrams, maps, images, photographs and surveys to collect and apply primary and secondary data.
Background information
Background information
Activity 1: Location
Activity 1: Location
Wanda Beach, CronullaYouTube | noodlefoo (3:50min)
Cronulla Beach in Sydney, AustraliaYouTube | Steven Tritton (0:52min)
Google MyMap of the study site
Our study site is in the beachside suburb of Cronulla, south of Sydney on Dharawal Country.
The beaches we will be looking at today are part of the Kurnell Peninsula, an extensive sand spit that is bound by Botany Bay to the north-west and Bate Bay to the east. There is almost 5 kilometres of sandy beach along Bate Bay. It extends from Boat Harbour in the north to South Cronulla.
Our field work is conducted at two of Cronulla's most popular beaches - Wanda Beach and Greenhills Beach.
Check out the drone footage for a bird's eye view of our study sites! Then investigate the MyMap to see other important sites and features of the area.
Consider:
What are the different land use types that occur within this area?
What pressures might these different land uses put on the coastal dune ecosystem?
The Dharawal people are a saltwater people. They have a long connection with this coastal area to source food, fibre, shelter and medicines.
There are shell middens along this section of the coast that date back many hundreds of years. In the sand dunes near Boat Harbour, at the northern end of Bate Bay, there are shell deposits over 30 metres high.
This video from Kamay Botany Bay Environmental Education Centre shares one of the Dharawal Dreaming stories.
Dharawal Whale Dreaming storyYouTube | Kamay Botany Bay (5:10min)Kamay Botany Bay Environmental Education Centre
Activity 2: Precis maps
Activity 2: Precis maps
A precis map is a summary map showing the main features and land use of an area.
This precis map from Cronulla to Kurnell is based on Google Maps. It shows the shape of the land, location of water and main land use areas.
Precis Map of Bate Bay, from Cronulla to Kurnell
Compare the precis map of Bate Bay to the area highlighted on the Google MyMap.
Prepare a precis map for one of the beach zones around Cronulla. Use one of the maps embedded on this page or select an area of your own using Google Maps. For a cleaner image to trace, select 'Layers' on the Google Map and untick 'Labels'.
Draw the precis map by hand or experiment with creating it digitally. Remember to include BOLTSS.
How to draw a digital precis map using the Book Creator app (iOS):
Take a screen shot of a map and paste it onto a blank page.
Select pen. Notice the map image fades into the background.
Trace the main area boundaries over the top of the map, such as the coastline, areas of housing, beach and parkland.
Use symbols or patterns to define different land use types and features.
Create a legend to define your symbols and patterns.
Cut and paste this layer to a new page.
Greenhills Beach to Boat Harbour
South Cronulla Beach
How to draw a Precis Map from a Topographic Map.YouTube | Darren Gedge's Geography Channel (2:59min)
Watch for an alternative method for preparing a precis map.
Historical context
Historical context
CronullaSiteHistory.mp4The sand dunes at Cronulla have an extensive history of human use and impact. Watch this video for an overview.
Brief timeline of land use at Cronulla
Brief timeline of land use at Cronulla
Our study site is on Dharawal Country and the name Cronulla comes from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of pink sea shells’.
The extensive sand dunes at this site are estimated to be around 15,000 years old.
In 1871, European settlers began clearing the land for cattle grazing.
The land was subdivided and sold for suburban development in 1899.
In the early 1900s sea bathing became popular in Cronulla and still is today.
Sand boarding and other recreational activities on the dunes became popular from the 1920s to the 1950s.
Sand mining of the Kurnell dunes began in the 1930s and continues today, although on a much smaller scale.
Permission was granted for the Greenhills Beach suburb to begin development in 2010. The suburb is located behind the dune system, with construction continuing today.
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