Abstract:
Addressing how coastal villages interact with their environment is
an important facet of creating an ecologically sustainable future.
This project seeks to integrate healthy natural systems and human
development in the town of Lennox Head, which lies on the northern
coast of New South Wales, Australia. The small village faces a number
of compelling ecological issues: much of the forest ecosystems are
gone, Seven Mile Beach is receding, and Lake Ainsworth is signifi cantly
degraded. In light of the town’s expected growth in population,
these issues are addressed through a town master plan that creates a
framework for intelligent growth, green infrastructure, and restorative
landscapes. The project also addresses these issues through the
design of the Surf Life Saving Club site which will serve as a model for
ecologically sustainable design and engage residents and tourists in
the restoration process.
Ecological restoration efforts must be concerned with creating a
holistic, diverse ecosystem that interacts with social and cultural needs
in an ever-adapting process. These restoration efforts in the vicinity
of Lennox Head focus on the beach, the coastal freshwater lake,
and the remnants of littoral rainforest. Dune restoration rather than
seawall construction on Seven Mile Beach is the most effective and
environmentally sound solution of dealing with its erosion issues. To
improve the lake’s water quality and reduce erosion, green stormwater
management strategies including fi ltration swales, infi ltration basins,
and pervious paving have been implemented. The shore is also
revegetated with natural wetland and upland communities. Along the
coast in town, littoral rainforest communities are also replanted.
To address the ecological sustainability of the town infrastructure
itself, strategies included increased density development, native
landscaping, a strengthened multi-modal public transportation
system, stormwater management, local wastewater treatment, and
various types of green infrastructure. To foster a sense of connection
between people and nature, an anthropocentric viewpoint to
ecological sustainability guided the project to capitalize on the
village’s natural beauty, implement community food production, and
introduce public education on ecological sustainability. Transforming
Lennox Head benefi ts the natural environment and also benefi ts
the community through preserving its natural heritage, protecting
the cultural landscape of Seven Mile Beach, and increasing the
community’s quality of life. Implications of this project extend beyond
its direct physical benefi ts to Lennox Head. Since Australia has over
two hundred coastal towns, this project can readily serve as a model
for sustainability for other small, Australian beach communities, and
potentially others around the world.
