Further Research information

Taken from the Randwick City Council website http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/About_Randwick/Heritage/History_of_the_Randwick_area/Your_suburb/Coogee/index.aspx




Coogee Beach and pier, looking North-easy c. 1928-9
The suburb of Coogee is located on the eastern boundary of Randwick City and is bounded by the South Pacific Ocean to the east, Clovelly to the north, and the suburbs of Kensington and South Coogee to the west and south. The suburb includes a number of attractions including Coogee Beach, Gordons Bay, coastal rockpools, parks and reserves, and the coastal walk that extends to Bondi Beach.The commercial area of Coogee is located along Coogee Bay Road and Arden Street, which extends along the beachfront, and contains many cafes and restaurants. The Coogee Bay Hotel is a prominent landmark on the corner of the commercial area. Bus services operate along Coogee Bay Road, Arden Street (forming a bus interchange location) and throughout the suburb and are the only form of public transport available.Coogee is a fairly high density suburb with a large proportion of residential apartment buildings (ranging from Art Deco apartments, 1960s and 1970s walk-ups to modern apartments). Coogee attracts a large proportion of the tourists that visit Randwick City, influencing not only the character of the beach and commercial area but also the housing. A large proportion of the housing in Coogee is private rental and the population tends to relocate more often than the Randwick City average.In the early 1990s, Randwick Council and the State Government rebuilt Coogee's beach front and Coogee boomed.
History of Coogee
Sydneysiders were originally attracted to the fishing and hunted kangaroos, while the tall trees in the gully behind the beach were harvested by timber getters. In the mid 1830s the Deputy Surveyor General considered the district a suitable area for 'marine villas'. The area was surveyed in 1837 and a small town developed. By 1874 several hundred people were resident in Coogee. In 1883 the tramline made the area accessible to day trippers.Lawrence, J. Pictorial History of Randwick, Kingsclear Books, Alexandria, 2001, pp.40-53.

Equipment used throughout the experiment

Here is a list of equipment that I have used throughout the OEI to obtain the samples and to perfom tests on them.

- Snap lock bags to collect soil samples, meant that I could pick up all sorts of matter in the soil, e.g. clumps.
-I've also used mountfranklin bottles to collect water samples.
-Equipment used in the labsto test the samples include:
Filter Funnels, evaporating basins, retort stands, clamps, electronic scales, filter paper, home oven, beakers, turbidity tube, Waste bucket, silver nitrate dropper bottle, demineralised water containers, Phosphate strip tubes, metal spoons, glass stirring rod, gloves.

This is all i can think of so far, but I'll add to this list as I continue.

Round 1 Water Results

Sample Results-very rough

Results Round 1 and half of 2.

Moisture content notes

These are just some rough notes on the results I have recieved. Each have been used to record the results of tests done so far, I'll clear them up soon in table format.

Moisture Content Recordings- Round 1

Today I measured the moisture content of my first round of soil samples and I have also tonight used my oven to find the organic content, I have had a little bit of difficulty with understanding how to find a percentage but I have, with my father's help, been able to figure out how to do so.

Also tomorrow, I plan on weighing the organic content of my soil samples and also collecting my last round of samples. My second round water samples have all been completed in today's class lesson as well, hopefully if I stick to my plan I will be able to keep everything organised and under control in order to not leave anything to the last minute. For this reason exactly, I plan to begin writing my scientific report on the weekend.

Risk Assessment Plan

Enclosed is the risk assessment plan that I have been meaning to post up here for quite some time. The following has allowed me to conduct experiments whilst reviewing all the hazards that are involved and making a risk assessment of the different aspects of the experiments. All potential hazards have been identified and addressed in the following, so that I could proceed with conducting my investigation.

Variables

I've re-read the assessment sheet and have noticed that I need to include my variables for the experiment.

Independant Variables: The independant variables include the amount of soil that I take from Coogee beach, the chosen locations, the amount of water I take, and from the chosen locations. Other independant variables include the time period in which I have planned to obtain the samples which may alter the results.

Dependant Variables: The resulting pH levels, phosphate levels, salt levels, pollution levels, moisture content and organic content.

Controlled variables: The repeats of each experiment, the measurement of each sample and the location and duration of each sample. The types of equipment used must stay constant e.g. filter paper, silver nitrate solution, pH probe intial levels.

Measuring moisture content & a plan for activities

Today I weighed my sample soils, and have brought them home in order to do the moisture content experiment. The only problem is that I'm not exafctly sure as to how long to leave them in. The only solution for this that I can think of is to leave them for an hour. turn off the oven let them cool, and talk to Ms B in the morning to make sure I've done it right, if I haven't, this round of results will be inaccurate which will have to be explained in the discussion/conclusion of my experiment.

I've included a plan for this week's activites so that I do not fall behind in what I have to do.

First round of Testing

Within the week so far I have been able to test the first round of samples in the lab. Although at first it seemed quite tedious it gradually became easier. The tests have almost all been completed apart from a few of the tests that take a more extensive amount of time (moisture and organic content). By Wednesday I plan to have all of the first round testing done, as well as having collecting my round two samples.

I've decided I also need to work out a consistent plan because my organisation skills are lacking. I'll post it up here along with my risk assessment sheet within the next day or two.

First round of samples taken from the Beach area

Tonight I have taken my first round of samples from the beach, after a heavy rainful of 77mm on the weekend past. I read an article in the paper about the flooding, and decided it would be interesting to see whether or not this would greatly affect the results and how they would contrast from later testing.

Enclosed is the article which I found in the SMH regarding the floods on Saturday the 2nd May.

'Surf's up at Coogee...but its cars that are getting dumped.'

Aerial view of Coogee and sample locations

I have in the proceeding photograph, outlined the areas in which I have decided to take my soil tests from. The "X" is for the soil samples and the "O" is for the water samples.

Newspaper Clippings from the Sun-Herald

'Loo with a view make a bad impression"

The other day I was talking to my dad about my assignment and he mentioned that he had come across an article about Coogee Beach in the paper on Sunday morning. The article relates to the proposed development of new toilets in the area surrounding the immediate beach. There has been a public outcry about the proposal from a number or residents and people concerned with the historical and artistic value of the site. The future development, would inevitably change the construction of the northend of the beach whilst also allows for more human impact in the area, the new development is meant to be facilitating the general public and is a result of the increased human activity in the area.

Also I've decided to take my first samples from the beach this weekend, I'm not entirely sure as to where I will take them from but I do have a rough idea, I also hope to have some photos to upload before the weekend has passed. Also included is some additional information about Coogee Beach. Taken from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coogee,_New_South_Wales

Geography and landmarks
Coogee Beach is relatively protected through its formation as a bay. The surrounding coastline is mostly cliffs, decreasing in height down to the beach in the western part of the bay. The bay is sheltered from the roughest seas by Wedding Cake Island, a rocky reef about 800m off the southern headland. There is an annual swimming event around the island each November. [8]
The beach itself drops off rapidly at the edge of the water, which can result in a dangerous shore break particularly when the surf is large. The combination of this shore break and high visitor numbers mean that Coogee has more spinal injuries than any other Australian beach.
In larger surf, there are often rip currents at both the northern end and at the southern ends, and also quite frequently in the centre of the beach. These are simply the places where the incoming water escapes most naturally. It is claimed by some locals that the rip in the centre of the beach is partly caused by the remaining foundations of the old entertainment pier (see above - history).

At the northern end of the beach are stairs leading from Dolphin Point down to the old Giles baths. This is now an open rock pool carved out of the surrounding rocks. This area is now known as "Dolphin Point". The doorway and a four-metre high bronze sculpture serve as a memorial to twenty of the Australian victims of the 2002 Bali bombing who were residents of Coogee and its neighbouring suburbs, including six members of the Coogee Dolphins rugby league team. A short walk further to the north is Gordons Bay, which is a popular location for snorkeling. At the southern end is the Ross Jones Memorial Pool just below the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club. Also at the southern end are two small reefs the inner and the outer. Further south is a coastal walk that goes past the women's baths and Wylies baths. Randwick DRUFC play at Coogee Oval.
Coogee is one of Australia's more densely populated areas, with apartment buildings in every style from the 1930s onwards. Some free-standing houses remain. The suburb is a popular destination for tourists, particularly backpackers.

Chosen Area: Coogee Beach

The area I've chosen for my Earth and Environmental Science Open-Ended Investigation is Coogee Beach. The area chosen has easy accesss to water and land, where I am able to take samples from, the locality of the area also allows for me to take samples and to do practical work, on a regular basis whilst also allowing for my personal interest.

Over the past two weeks, I've been collecting information about Coogee Beach, its history, photographs and future plans for the area.

In this post is background information as to the history of the Beach. Taken from the Coogee Beach Sydney Australia website which is supported by the Coogee Chamber of Commerce Inc.


A Brief History of Coogee - Sydney Australia
The name 'Coogee' (pronounced as "could gee") seems to have been derived from an Aboriginal word which means "bad smell". This would be of course due to the decaying seaweed which is washed up onto the beach - even in these modern times.
The original track which brought people to the Coogee Beach area back in 1832 would have followed the basic route nowadays taken by Anzac Parade and Alison Road.
In July 1838, the village of Coogee was gazetted with many of the streets in the district named after sea creatures. Today "Dolphin St., Neptune St., and Bream St.," still remain whilst it is understood that Coogee Bay Road and Arcadia Streets were later renamed from their original "Whale St" and "Fish St".
As surf bathing became more popular, so did the area gain fame and in 1907 the Coogee Surf Lifesaving Club was formed.
In 1928 an amusement pier - similar to those found at many English beaches - was constructed. It commenced at the promenade and reached over 180 metres into the sea, however heavy seas took their toll and the structure was demolished in 1934. Click here for a view of the beach with the pier still standing. See below for a link to more period photos.
Coogee was also famous for its large domed building at the northern end of the beach known as the "Coogee Beach Aquarium". This building with its pleasure gardens, sea water baths and restaurants attracted great crowds until it too was demolished for safety reasons. However in its place a new building with a similar appearance to the original now stands - offering arcades of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
In the late 1980's, the Randwick City Council embarked on a bold redevelopment of the Coogee seashore area. The resulting work along with the building of the 'Holiday Inn' nowadays the Crowne Plaza Coogee, and the refurbishment of the 'Coogee Bay Hotel', together with the newly built "Coogee Bay Boutique Hotel" extension , has given rebirth to the area as a major international holiday destination.
This tourist activity has also resulted in the appearance of a large number of 'Backpacker' style establishments, as well as a wide variety of cafes and restaurants - many with open air (pavement) seating.
The future will see further improvements to the foreshore area, with the completion of coastal walkways and the proposed changes to the seaside parklands and local shopping area streetscape are eagerly awaited by all.

Within the next few days I hope to obtain the Management Plan for Coogee Beach and also the Coogee Beach Surf Club '100 Year Centenary Book' which entails information about the history of the beach and the surf club as well as the growing popularity of the beach over the decades.

Furthermore, within the following weeks I plan to collect samples from the area and photographs, and determine why the environment in this area presents the findings that I gather.