Camera-based Beach Monitoring Program
The NSW Government and City of Newcastle have launched a camera-based beach monitoring program at Stockton Beach. The data collected by these beach monitoring cameras will help us understand how the coastline changes over time, as well as beach visitation.
This data will be important in measuring the progress and success of the Stockton Beach Repair Project. Key objectives of the Beach Repair Project include:
- protecting public and private assets from coastal erosion impacts
- improving beach amenity, beach use and community wellbeing.
The camera-based beach monitoring program allows us to understand how the Stockton shoreline changes in response to storms and other significant coastal events, as well as insights before and after the delivery of mass sand nourishment through the Beach Repair Project. It will also provide valuable information on beach visitation and if this changes with a wider beach in the future.
Privacy
The information below acts to provide notice of the collection of beach monitoring data by the Stockton Beach camera-based beach monitoring program. Adequate signage is provided at all camera locations.
The camera-based program involves 5 beach monitoring cameras that continually collect images of Stockton Beach. These cameras are likely to capture some images where beach visitors are present.
The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 requires that any personal information captured by the Stockton Beach camera-based coastal monitoring program is limited to that which is necessary to fulfil the purpose of the program. Data will be collected only for the purposes of coastal management and the monitoring and evaluation of the Stockton Beach Repair Project.
Imagery captured by the Stockton Beach camera-based beach monitoring program will only be published if people within the images are not identifiable. To protect privacy, published imagery may have been edited to blur people that are visible. The coastal monitoring cameras are not intended for use as security cameras.
Arrangements regarding the management of the Stockton Beach camera-based monitoring program, including access to footage, is formalised and limited to the NSW Government and City of Newcastle, for purposes in accordance with The Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act.
Community Use Program
The Stockton Beach Repair Project team has developed a Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Framework for the Stockton Beach Repair Project. This framework aims to identify opportunities for engagement with key stakeholders and the community during the development and implementation of the project.
The views, experiences and observations of the local community are important data for the monitoring and evaluation of the Stockton Beach Repair Project. The Beach Repair Project team has developed a Community Use Program to monitor and evaluate the social outcomes of the Beach Repair Project. Key focus areas include:
- community satisfaction
- beach usage patterns
- perceived benefits and drawbacks of the beach changes
The community and stakeholders will be kept informed on opportunities to provide feedback, views, experiences and observations relevant to the project.
To register your interest in participating in upcoming surveys and other engagement opportunities, please fill out the below form:
The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can request access and amendment of your personal information.
Other monitoring initiatives
Other important monitoring data is being collected as part of the Stockton Beach Repair Project. An NSW Government-owned wave buoy was recently deployed at a depth of 13 m in the water off Stockton Beach.
Monitoring surveys are also periodically undertaken in accordance with the requirements set out in the environmental approvals for sand sourcing and sand placement on Stockton Beach. The data collected through these surveys will also inform the project evaluation for the long-term Beach Repair Project. This includes (but is not limited to):
- bathymetry surveys
- drone surveys
- sand and water quality surveys
- animal surveys