Meet Dr Guilherme Vieira da Silva, an oceanography expert on a mission from Griffith University. With a passion for Queensland’s beautiful coastline and a background in marine geology, Dr Vieira da Silva is leading a groundbreaking project to combat coastal erosion.
The Challenge: Keeping Our Beaches Safe
Queensland's stunning coastline is a vital part of our identity, but it also faces a serious threat: erosion. Every year, storms and natural processes erode our beaches, creating risks for beachgoers, damaging property, and impacting ecosystems.
A Collaborative Approach: Partnering for Success
Supported by Advance Queensland’s Industry Research Fellowship, Dr Guilherme Vieira da Silva is a recipient of $360,000 over two years to collaborate with:
- The City of Gold Coast: A world-leader in coastal management, the Gold Coast provides valuable expertise and a unique dataset.
- The Local Government Association of Queensland: Connecting the project with coastal councils across the state.
- Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation: Providing feedback, guidance and ensuring the project is beneficial to other councils along Queensland.
The Solution: A Coastal Erosion Risk Assessment Framework
Dr Guilherme Vieira da Silva’s project is developing a user-friendly framework to assess coastal erosion risks. This framework will be a valuable tool for local governments areas to:
- Prepare for the future: Plan for both long-term erosion and sudden storm events.
- Protect our communities: Minimise risks to people, infrastructure, and property.
- Safeguard our environment: Protect beaches, wildlife habitats, and cultural heritage sites.
Benefits Beyond the Beach: A Ripple Effect for Queensland
The impact of this project goes far beyond protecting our coastline to protect Queenslanders into the future.
- Reduced costs: Local government areas can proactively manage erosion, minimising future repair expenses.
- Thriving tourism: Healthy beaches attract visitors, boosting the vital tourism industry.
- A sustainable future: Protecting coastlines ensures our way of life for generations to come.
For Dr Vieira da Silva, this fellowship is a culmination of years working with industry to achieve practical solutions and the opportunity to make a difference. Dr da Silva’s project is a shining example of Queensland's commitment to innovation and collaboration. By working together, we can ensure our beautiful coastline remains a source of joy, prosperity, and natural wonder for years to come.
About Advance Queensland’s Industry Research Fellowships
Advance Queensland’s Industry Research Fellowships support PhD qualified researchers to undertake innovative research that addresses an industry issue, in partnership with industry partners to translate research outcomes into practical application.
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