A Sunshine Coast councillor has expressed his frustration over plans to build a seawall and new-look foreshore at the region’s main beach.
Terry Landsberg last month opposed a motion to push forward with stage two of the Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project. There were six votes for and three against.
The upgrades will include building a terraced seawall and a Central Parkland with new amenities. Work is expected to start in February.
Council expects the seawall to help counter erosion and provide more safety to beachgoers, and the parkland is set to offer a fresh new look for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Council also approved a plan to assist local businesses during the construction phase.
But Cr Landsberg, who represents the Caloundra region, had reservations about the project and said there were other foreshore areas in the region that required attention.
Cr Landsberg, who shares the economic development portfolio with Maroochydore councillor Joe Natoli, believed local businesses could suffer, particularly during holidays.
“As a former small business owner, my concerns are the impacts to the local traders and retailers within the Mooloolaba foreshore precinct area,” he said.
“The construction period and length of time will cause significant damage, financially, that some may never recover from.”
Related story: Coastal expert weighs in on controversial plans for seawall
Cr Landsberg also said the seawall could be costly.
“I do not support a project that has gone from a Central Parklands redevelopment of the Loo with a View, which I support, to include constructing a seawall that we do not know what the full cost of delivery will be,” he said.
“The seawall project is only partly funded, (and) considering high industry prices…”
Cr Landsberg said there were erosion problems in his division, at Kings Beach and Moffat Beach, that needed to be addressed.
“The existing seawall at Kings Beach does not meet the requirements of the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy,” he said.
“This was the reason the (planned renewal of the) lifeguard facility did not go out to tender during the last term of council.
“And the Moffat Beach seawall is now scheduled for works in mid-2025.
“My frustration is the time delay and lack of funding.
“Our local community is becoming increasingly frustrated with the closure of the boat ramp, which supports all-abilities access, beach stairs and shower, and they look forward to the repairs to Moffat Beach seawall as soon as possible.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said it was unknown how much the works at Mooloolaba would cost.
“It will be determined as a result of a successful construction contractor being appointed,” they said.
“The construction contract is currently in probity environment and therefore is commercial in confidence at this time.”
But they said the replacement of the seawall would be funded by council’s 10-year Capital Works Program and the federal government.
The latter announced last year that it would contribute $7.95 million, from the National Emergency Management Agency Disaster Ready Fund, towards replacing the seawall.
The spokesperson also highlighted council’s efforts to counter erosion across the region, including at Caloundra.
“Council has a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP), which provides a 10-year action plan that describes key coastal processes along the Sunshine Coast and identifies council-controlled assets that are exposed to current shoreline erosion threats,” they said.
“The SEMP addresses priority erosion issues at specific locations and recommends preferred management options that are underpinned by sound science, coastal engineering principles and community values.
“Planning and design are underway to permanently repair the damaged sections of the Moffat Beach seawall, with construction expected to begin in early to mid-2025.
“The cost to repair the seawall is yet to be finalised.
“The Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy identifies the existing seawall infrastructure at Kings Beach as ageing.
“The adaptation strategy from present day to 2041 is to continue to mitigate coastal hazard risk and prepare for additional hazard mitigation in some areas in the future.
“Council is investigating a range of construction methodologies to ensure the renewal of the council-owned Kings Beach surf lifesaving facility can be constructed independent of future coastal pathway and seawall upgrades.
“As part of this project, council has completed a number of preliminary background studies to support future seawall and coastal pathway construction.”
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