A new seawall will be built at a Sunshine Coast foreshore thrashed by the elements and threatened by higher tides.
The existing wall at southern Golden Beach will be reconstructed by Sunshine Coast Council and the state government.
A 170m replacement wall is set to protect the shoreline between Nelson Street and the TS Onslow Navy Cadets site. A smaller section of rebuilt wall, just to the north, is almost complete.
It’s among a host of seawalls planned for the region, with others expected at Mooloolaba, Kings Beach and Moffat Beach.
Construction is due to start in May, pending design, site conditions and weather. It could take about three months to build.
The area was damaged by disaster events of 2021 and 2022 and is at risk from higher tides caused by a breakthrough at nearby Bribie Island in early 2022.
A raft of measures for Golden Beach were announced last year, but a council spokesperson has outlined more initiatives that should shield the area for 50 years.
“Works will include protecting the foreshore with a new seawall fit for purpose for the Golden Beach area; removing unapproved structures; building a new boat ramp; providing a new beach access; and repairing the concrete slab,” they said.
“The damaged boat ramp will be rebuilt at the Navy Cadets site and the surrounding parklands, landscaping and pathways restored from Onslow Street to Jellicoe Street along the esplanade.
“This will provide better access to the water and protect the valuable park, coastal pathway and road near the revetment wall from coastal hazards.”
The works will also ensure containment of asbestos material, which was uncovered and migrated to adjacent beach areas because of the erosion caused by the succession of disaster events.
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The works are in the investigation and design phase.
Council is progressing the concept design with the design team and preparing submissions for statutory authority approvals.
“We will inform our community with further information on the features of the protection works once a feasible option is progressed,” the spokesperson said.
“It is a complex project which requires careful consideration of the potential future impacts of the tidal breakthrough at Bribie Island and in the Pumicestone Passage.”
The TS Onslow site is owned by the state government and leased by the Navy Cadets, so council will work with both parties to do the repair work.
Because the land is owned by the Department of Resources and the damage was caused during a declared disaster, funding of $3.5 million has been provided through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
The council agreed to deliver the project on behalf of the lessee and the state government due to its experience in the area and with its specialist engineering advice.
The planned works will follow a rebuild of an 80m section of seawall between Jellicoe and Nelson streets. That’s expected to be completed within weeks, weather and site conditions permitting.
“This work to protect the Golden Beach foreshore and community areas is in response to the Bribie Island breakthrough,” the council spokesperson said.
“The breakthrough has resulted in this part of the foreshore becoming frequently inundated adjacent to the barbecue shelter.
“The project will help protect the parkland and footpath from coastal hazards and includes: reconstructing and raising approximately 80 linear metres of the existing seawall using grouted rock; installing tiles to create a ‘living seawall’ with habitat for sea creatures; a new section of concrete footpath and matching timber and metal balustrade, reinstating the barbecue shelter, benches and binoculars; and reinstating the parkland and planting.”
The foreshore is at greater risk of erosion after waves broke through Bribie Island in January, 2022. The event caused sand to shift and tides to change in the Pumicestone Passage.
“An increased tidal envelope is causing shoreline regression,” the council spokesperson said.
Related story: See how area has changed after tidal breakthrough
The council’s plan is to focus on the foreshore area to protect essential public infrastructure such as roads.
“Temporary works to stabilise the area were completed in mid-2023, which included protection of the eroding bank with geofabric and renourishment with dredged sand,” the spokesperson said.
“The works are temporary in nature as the sand was dredged there and is erodible, therefore the capital works will ensure the protection of the foreshore for its 50-year design life.”
Meanwhile, sand renourishment has taken place at neighbouring Bulcock Beach, at the northern end of the passage.
The spokesperson said it was part of council’s annual renourishment program for erosion protection at Golden Beach and surrounds.
The work is usually done during an eight-week period in winter.
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