Tim Austin

PhD Candidate

Madsen Building (F09), Room 412
Phone: +61 2 9356 6545
Fax: +61 2 9351 3644
Email: taus5137@usyd.edu.au

Supervisor
Professor Andrew Short

Associate Supervisor
Dr Michael Hughes

Research

Working title: The role of wave-tide interactions on flood-tide delta morphodynamics and the impact on estuarine beaches: Port Stephens, N.S.W.

My thesis will be focusing on the morphodynamics of flood-tide deltas and the role that the interaction of tidal currents and waves has on changes to these features. My study will primarily focus on the Port Stephens flood-tide delta and will involve the deployment of two sea-bed mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) over a range of sites on the flood-tide delta throughout the duration of the project. I will also be using data obtained from periodic current profile cross-sections taken from a vessel mounted ADCP and periodic bathymetric surveys.
My thesis will be undertaken as part of the Port Stephens flood-tide delta shoreline management project. This project is a collaboration between the University of Sydney being represented by Professor Andy Short, Dr. Michael Hughes, Dr. Ana Vila-Concejo and Associate Professor Dong Jeng, Port Stephens Council, Great Lakes Council, Jimmys Beach Restoration Association, the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), the Danish Hydraulics Institute and the Marine Parks Authority. The project aims to determine the interrelated morphodynamics of flood-tide deltas and adjacent estuarine beaches. An understanding of the geomorphological processes and the development and validation of numerical models of the system will greatly aid the development of management strategies particular in the face of potential sea-level rise and changing climatic conditions.

Data collection is nearing its final stages with over 13 months of current data collected. Data analysis is progressing well.