In Australia, volunteers will monitor coastal erosion with drones — ABC News Australia
In Robe, South Australia, volunteers are planned to be involved in monitoring coastal erosion using low-cost drones. The District Council of Robe has opened applications for participation in the project, which is being implemented jointly with Flinders University, ABC News Australia reports.
Participants will be provided with drones and training. According to the researchers’ plan, volunteers will photograph the coastline once a month for two years, as well as after storms. This is intended to help record changes to the shoreline and the volume of sand.
Data for coastal management
Flinders University Associate Professor, coastal geomorphologist and oceanographer Graziella Miot da Silva said the initiative is part of the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, NCRIS. Its goal is to expand observations of coastal erosion in Australia and cover more sections of coastline and storm events.
Materials collected by citizens will be analysed by specialists. According to Miot da Silva, these data could help councils and coastal area managers choose response strategies, including sand replenishment, retreat or adaptation.
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Risks for Robe
Robe District Council chief executive Net Traeger said the local community is interested in understanding the rate of erosion. According to her, the coast is vulnerable and is eroding rapidly. The council already has its own drone and conducts surveys, but a regular programme involving volunteers is expected to strengthen its capabilities.
In July 2025, nearly 10 metres of cliff collapsed near the Robe Lighthouse. Among the areas of concern, Traeger named the Robe Obelisk, as well as Fox and Hoopers beaches, near which there are properties. At Hoopers Beach, she said, there are properties threatened by erosion.
The project will also cover other coastal areas of South Australia. If the pilot programme proves successful, it may be extended to other territories. A similar approach using citizen science has already been used in the state of Victoria to assess the impact of storms and erosion.
