Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project

Your invited to a drop in session

We’re ready to submit the application to seek approval for an alignment of the reconstructed Moffat Beach seawall that attempts to retain the much-loved Norfolk pine trees.

In the coming days, the application will be referred to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency and Sunshine Coast Council’s Development Services to be assessed against the relevant acts and codes.

Drop in session

You are invited to a drop-in session to learn more and ask questions.

DATE: Saturday 30 November 2024

TIME: 8.30am – 12noon

LOCATION: Moffat Beach Park, Queen of Colonies Parade.

WHAT: This is an informal chat to learn more from Council. There will not be any specific presentation so drop in any time.

Can’t make it? Visit Council’s website to read all the information that will be shared at the drop-in session. You can also read the latest news story here.

This update is about the ongoing discussions between Council and Moffat Beach community focus group and the project status.

Moffat Beach community focus group

Council and the Moffat Beach community focus group have had two meetings to date (2 and 23 October) to share updates on the seawall design progress and seek feedback from members on the project.

Our groups are sharing insights and having constructive discussions on the issues and opportunities the seawall reconstruction project presents.

As a Council, we appreciate the time and commitment each member has made to these meetings and the seawall project.

We’ve uploaded two presentations to the webpage as a summary of each meeting. You can view these here.

• Community focus group presentation 1 - 2 October 2024
• Community focus group presentation 2 - 23 October 2024

Project update summary

Investigations: Most of the key investigations required to inform the seawall design and alignment of the seawall have been completed. These include the coastal erosion modelling, seawall overtopping modelling and geotechnical assessments.

We have also engaged a specialist to do a wave/surf impact study to understand any impacts of the seawall alignment on the wave and surf conditions in the bay and expect those results soon.

Alignment: We know the Norfolk Pine trees are important to the Moffat Beach community. This is why we are evaluating three options for the alignment of the seawall.

1. Seaward of the Norfolk pine trees – this would move the wall further out onto the beach to retain the Norfolk pine trees.
2. Landward of the Norfolk pine trees – this would move the wall back into the parkland, starting at the existing toe of the seawall, and require removal of the Norfolk pine trees.
3. A hybrid alignment option that would be part landward and part seaward to retain the Norfolk pine trees and balance any impacts on parkland and beach at the western end.

These options are being evaluated using a Multi-Criteria Analysis for each section of wall (western, middle and eastern), which ranks and weights different social, environmental and economic values and considerations against each other.

We also need to ensure the final seawall design complies with the Coastal Management and Protection Regulation 2017. This is because we are committed to ensuring the reconstructed seawall meets engineering standards and is lawfully constructed meeting all necessary statutory approvals.

Next steps: Consideration of the alignment options and design of the seawall is still underway. We have more meetings scheduled with the Moffat Beach community focus group to share information about these options.

We aim to identify the preferred seawall alignment and submit seawall design for State assessment and approvals in late November.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

Community update 5 November 2024

This update is to let you know there will be a small repair done to the seawall tomorrow, October 16. 

As previously advised, we continue to monitor the seawall for signs of movement. 

A recent inspection has uncovered a small sinkhole due to a tear in the geofabric behind the wall. 

While the sinkhole isn’t visible to people in the area, it could get worse if it is not repaired. 

There will be a small team onsite to do this work and we don’t expect there to be a need for any machinery. 

This work will take place outside of the structural root zone of the Norfolk Pines. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. 

Community update 15 October 2024

This update is to let you know that invitations have been sent to community and business representatives inviting a nomination for the Moffat Beach community focus group.  

Moffat Beach community focus group 

We are committed to transparent and honest communication with our community throughout the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project. Our goal is to foster community collaboration to ensure voices are heard and acknowledged. 

The purpose of the Moffat Beach community focus group is to: 

• involve the key community groups and stakeholders and understand everyone’s views 
• ensure key community and business stakeholders are appropriately engaged with clear and accurate information regarding the seawall reconstruction project 
• engage with local community/interest/resident groups around topics related to the seawall, environment, beach, open space and community facilities and values 
• share two-way information between the community and Council relevant to the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project 
• provide a forum to bring local community groups and stakeholders together to share the details and values of their groups as relevant to Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project 
• to foster positive ongoing relationships between Moffat Beach stakeholders. 

The primary objectives of the Moffat Beach community focus group are to: 

• share local knowledge between community and stakeholders regarding Moffat Beach and the seawall reconstruction project 
• encourage the development of collegiate and cooperative relationships between all community groups and stakeholders 
• act as conduit to the local community to share information and generate understanding about the project within the terms of the Moffat Beach community focus group. 

Member groups 

Invitations have been sent to the following groups that represent the local Moffat Beach community. 

Each identified group has been asked to nominate one representative for their group to be a member of the community focus group. 

One nominated representative per group: 

• Save Moffat Beachfront 
• Make Moffat Shine Page 
• Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation 
• Caloundra Residents Association 
• Caloundra Chamber of Commerce 
• Veteran Wheelies Association (accessibility) 
• Windandsea Boardriders Club 
• The Moffateers 
• Tooway Lake BushCare Group 
• nominated local cultural heritage representative 
• nominated local business/retailer representative. 

Council will review the nominations for each group and finalise the membership of the community focus group. 

The panel will seek approximately 10-12 members consisting of community representatives from a range of ages and backgrounds within the project area, to select a diverse representation across demographics, cultures and interests promoting a diversity of voices and a balance of interests. 

Council reserves the right to final decisions on appointment of members to the community focus group, based on achieving a balanced approach to community representation. 

Additional invitations for nominations for representatives will be considered by the community focus group panel on an as needs basis and in consultation with the community focus group membership. 

Members will be kept up to date throughout the project, including during design and construction, unless members advise they wish to be removed from project mailing lists. 

Attendees of the community focus group meetings will also include the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project team, place plan team, other relevant Council officers, elected officials and independent consultants or subject matter experts. 

Details 

The Moffat Beach community focus group will be facilitated by a nominated chairperson. 

Membership is voluntary. 

Members will be representative of the demographic and geographic makeup of the project area. 

Council staff will provide support through the chairperson in managing the Moffat Beach Community Focus Group. 

For more details please read the Terms of Reference – Moffat Beach Seawall Reconstruction Project Community Focus Group on Council’s website. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. 

Community update 17 September 2024

This update is to let you know that geotechnical investigations to test soil strength and thickness will take place tomorrow, August 29, in the park next to the seawall. 

Soil samples will be collected using a small drill rig and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) testing, which looks like a small probe going into the ground.   

The boreholes will be small in size and made outside of the structural root zones of the Norfolk trees. All holes will be backfilled.  

Hand augering will also be performed on the beach to determine the rock shelf levels. 

This information is required to inform the seawall design. Please be aware that we continue to monitor the seawall for signs of movement, so from time to time you may see workers on site with drones, cameras or survey devices to do this work. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. 

Community update 28 August 2024

Thanks for subscribing to stay updated on local projects at Moffat Beach, including the seawall reconstruction project.  

We’ve been receiving your emails with questions and comments and this update aims to provide information on the Norfolk trees. 

Norfolk trees 

We hear your concerns about the Norfolk trees. We are committed to ensuring the safety at, and beauty of, our beloved Moffat Beach. 

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the reconstructed seawall – and the safety of our community and health of the beach – we are seeking the advice of experienced, independent expert engineers who specialise in coastal engineering projects.  

They will use localised data and modelling to assess what is most appropriate for this specific location. Until such time as this analysis is complete, and the potential implications for the existing open space and vegetation behind the seawall is understood, Council will not have sufficient information to make an informed decision on the Norfolk trees.  

Once the options analysis is complete and we have the consultants’ recommendations, we will update our community. 

Thank-you for taking the time to read this update. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. 

Community update 7 August 2024 

Dear Moffat Beach Community, 

We are committed to ensuring the safety and beauty of our beloved Moffat Beach.  

As part of this commitment, we are exploring all options for reconstructing a seawall that will protect our community, their values and the beach environment. 

Our goal is to make well-informed decisions and avoid repeating past approaches that have not lasted.  The existing seawall, expected to last 50 years, unfortunately only endured for 17 years.  

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the new structure – and the safety of our community – we will seek the advice of experienced, independent expert engineers who specialise in coastal engineering projects and will utilise localised data and modelling in assessing what is most appropriate for this specific location. 

Once we have their recommendations, we will update our community. 

We are committed to providing updates and information to the community as planning for the reconstruction progresses. 

About the project 

The Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project is a crucial initiative to protect our community parklands, paths, roads and facilities from the impacts of future climate change, while also keeping our coastline healthy and maintaining access to the beautiful beach. 

The seawall has faced significant challenges, with the western section being damaged by severe weather and rainfall in 2022 and the middle section being damaged again in early 2024.  

We are scheduled to begin rebuilding the western and middle sections in mid-2025 subject to design and approvals being completed. We want to assure you that we are exploring all options to construct a new seawall that will stand the test of time. 

Expert coastal engineering advice 

Expert engineers will soon be engaged to conduct a full geotechnical investigation and coastal modelling process. They will then use this information to design the final seawall type and alignment. This process will be peer reviewed by another expert in the field. 

This advice will guide us in choosing the best course of action that prioritises community safety and the health of our coastline. 

We want to create a seawall design robust enough to withstand future climate events. The final design will also need to meet the Queensland Government’s criteria for seawall design and be approved by Council and the State.   

Once the Seawall Reconstruction Project team receives approval, construction can begin.  

Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project  We expect this investigation, design and approval stage to be completed by the end of 2024 to make way for construction mid-2025 during winter when there are less storms and swell.  This is an important timeframe and is driving our efforts towards investigations and designs through 2024, as seawall works through the summer months should be avoided due to significantly increased risks for safety, time and costs. 

We know many of you are very interested in the outcomes. Once we have this expert advice, we will share our plans with you.  

We encourage you to subscribe for updates. 

How is this funded? 

A total of $4.55 million has been allocated for the project, with $1.7 million from the Queensland Government for the western section and $2.85 million through Council's 2024-25 capital works program budget for the middle section. This also includes landscaping elements to reinstate any areas impacted by construction of the seawall. The funding from Council was approved on June 20, 2024, and will enable us to rebuild both sections simultaneously, minimising impacts on our community. 

Seawall approval process 

The application process 

The steps that must be followed to submit an application are:  

1. seek pre-lodgement advice from the Queensland Government before the application is lodged 
2. obtain the landowner’s consent (Queensland Government) 
3. lodge the application with Council as the assessment manager 
4. refer the application to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency 
5. answer any information requests from either Council (the assessment manager) or the State 
6. wait for the State’s review response 
7. Council (the assessment manager) makes the final decision on the application and, if approved, issues the decision notice inclusive of any conditions from the State’s referral agencies. 

Submitting an application 

The reconstruction of the seawall is considered assessable development under the Queensland Government’s Planning Regulation 2017. Assessable development requires an approval before any work can begin.   

This involves the Seawall Reconstruction Project Team submitting a development application for assessment and decision by an assessment manager.  

The seawall application will be for Operational Work (Prescribed Tidal Works) because it involves activities in the tidal zone (as defined by the Queensland Government’s Coastal Management and Protection Act 1995).   

There are two categories of assessment for assessable development: code and impact. The seawall is a code assessable application. 

Assessment manager 

As per schedule 8, table 2, item 1 (c) of the Planning Regulation 2017, the local government is the assessment manager for development applications for prescribed tidal works within the tidal area for a local government area. 

This means Sunshine Coast Council is the assessment manager. 

Assessing the application – Sunshine Coast Council 

Council (the assessment manager) will assess the application against the Queensland Government’s prescribed tidal works code in Schedule 3 of the Coastal Management and Protection Regulation 2017. 

The Seawall Reconstruction Project team will also refer the application to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency for assessment as the project will impact on Matters of State Environmental Significance. 

Matters of State Environmental Significance – Queensland Government 

The Seawall Reconstruction Project Team understands that as part of this process the project will require assessment of:  

• maritime safety – assessed by Maritime Safety Queensland  
• tidal work – assessed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation  
• removal, destruction or damage of marine plants – assessed by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. 

The Queensland Government has a list of requirements for each aspect listed above and the seawall project must make sure that the application adheres to these requirements.  

The requirements are in the following State Development Assessment Provisions:  

• State Code 7 – Maritime safety 
• State Code 8 – Coastal development and tidal works 
• State Code 11 – Removal, destruction or damage of marine plants. 

Moffat Beach place plan project 

Additionally, later this year, we will embark on the Moffat Beach Place Plan project, which will help shape the future of this much-loved local place. 

We encourage everyone with an interest in the Moffat Beach to subscribe for updates.  

By doing so, you will stay informed about our plans and have the opportunity to share your ideas regarding future landscaping and recreation areas, traffic safety and streetscape elements across Moffat Beach’s commercial and surrounding areas.  

Together, we can ensure a safe and thriving Moffat Beach for generations to come. 

What happens next?  

Work to stabilise the seawall 

You may notice Council machinery working at the seawall. This is to reposition rocks that have become unstable to prevent the rocks falling onto the beach. It won’t fix the wall or lessen the risk of more rocks falling. The fencing will still be required after that work has been completed.  

Traffic and parking issues 

While the Place Plan will holistically assess traffic and parking issues and recommend solutions across the Moffat Beach suburb, we are currently reviewing traffic and parking issues around the commercial area, and Eleanor Shipley and Moffat Beach parks with the view to making safety improvements in the short term.  

Ramp access 

We are exploring options to improve access to the beach for all users. 

Your safety 

Beach access, chairs and tables remain open however we strongly urge you to stay off the seawall completely and avoid the beach area at the base of the rock wall. 

Rocks can fall onto the beach at any time, and quickly – within about 10-20 seconds. Anyone standing at the base of the rock wall may be injured. 

The safety signage and fencing will remain in place for the time being. 

Community update July 2024

We are committed to transparent and honest communication with our community throughout the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project. Our goal is to foster community collaboration to ensure voices are heard and acknowledged.

The purpose of the Moffat Beach community focus group is to:

• involve the key community groups and stakeholders and understand everyone’s views
• ensure key community and business stakeholders are appropriately engaged with clear and accurate information regarding the seawall reconstruction project
• engage with local community/interest/resident groups around topics related to the seawall, environment, beach, open space and community facilities and values
• share two-way information between the community and Council relevant to the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project
• provide a forum to bring local community groups and stakeholders together to share the details and values of their groups as relevant to Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project
• to foster positive ongoing relationships between Moffat Beach stakeholders.

The primary objectives of the Moffat Beach community focus group are to:

• share local knowledge between community and stakeholders regarding Moffat Beach and the seawall reconstruction project
• encourage the development of collegiate and cooperative relationships between all community groups and stakeholders
• act as conduit to the local community to share information and generate understanding about the project within the terms of the Moffat Beach community focus group.

Invitations have been sent to identified community/business groups that represent the local Moffat Beach community. Each identified group has been asked to nominate one representative for their group to be a member of the community focus group.

Member groups (1 nominated representative per group):

1. Save Moffat Beachfront
2. Make Moffat Shine
3. Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation
4. Caloundra Residents Association
5. Caloundra Chamber of Commerce
6. Nominated local accessibility representative’
7. Windandsea Boardriders Club
8. The Moffateers
9. Tooway Lake BushCare Group
10. Nominated local cultural heritage representative
11. Nominated local business/retailer representative.

Council will review the nominations for each group and finalise the membership of the community focus group.

The panel will seek approximately 10-12 members consisting of community representatives from a range of ages and backgrounds within the project area, to select a diverse representation across demographics, cultures and interests promoting a diversity of voices and a balance of interests.

Council reserves the right to final decisions on appointment of members to the community focus group, based on achieving a balanced approach to community representation.

Additional invitations for nominations for representatives will be considered by the community focus group panel on an as needs basis and in consultation with the community focus group membership.

Members will be kept up to date throughout the project, including during design and construction, unless members advise they wish to be removed from project mailing lists.

Attendees of the community focus group meetings will also include the Moffat Beach seawall reconstruction project team, place plan team, other relevant Council officers, elected officials and independent consultants or subject matter experts.

• The Moffat Beach community focus group will be facilitated by a nominated chairperson.
• Membership is voluntary.
• Members will be representative of the demographic and geographic makeup of the project area.
• Council staff will provide support through the chairperson in managing the Moffat Beach Community Focus Group.

For more details please read the Terms of Reference – Moffat Beach Seawall Reconstruction Project Community Focus Group

The Moffat Beach seawall, and its two timber beach accesses were constructed in 2008 following erosion of the embankment and collapse of the old, dumped rock structure.

The 2008 seawall design footprint was minimised to retain the Norfolk pines and park area whilst also reducing the encroachment onto the beach as much as possible.

Because of this, the front face of the wall was constructed too steep at or beyond 1:1 (vertical: horizontal) or 45 degrees. Priority was not given to function, safety or best practice engineering  and this resulted in a narrow seawall footprint.

Due to the narrow seawall footprint, there was also insufficient space to install adequate drainage material during the time of construction.

During the February 2022 rain event, a 60m section of seawall experienced a rotational failure.

The main causes of this failure included:

• erosion – sand being eroded away at the base of the wall over an extended period of time (sand in front of a seawall acts as a restoring force against rotational failure)
• lack of a key (trench) into the rock shelf and clay layer
• heavy and consistent rainfall – led to high ground water pressure behind the seawall with inadequate drainage
• steep seawall batter – the armour rock was placed steeper than what would typically be done in a seawall. The recommended maximum slope for placed rock seawalls is 1:1.5 (V:H). Beyond this angle, stability rapidly decreases. Steeper angles reduce the factor of safety.

The new seawall is designed to modern engineering standards and guidelines. It will be wider with a gentler slope. The base will be keyed into the sandstone and clay layers. It will have more drainage behind the seawall.

The hybrid alignment option means the seawall will be built part landward and part seaward to retain the Norfolk pine trees.

Through this alignment, we have done our very best to find a balance to preserve what the community have told us they love about Moffat Beach.

The seawall will move out onto the beach in the eastern end and pivot around where the central beach staircase was previously located.  

It does mean the beach will be narrower at the eastern section to retain the Norfolk Pine trees. It also means losing some park area at the western end.

This design gives the Norfolk’s the best chance at being retained, however the trees’ survival cannot be guaranteed due to how close the root system will be to a construction site. Experienced independent arborists are being engaged to provide advice on protection of the trees to support their survival.

The new seawall footprint is larger, so it is inevitable that we will lose a little of both the park and the beach.

We feel this hybrid option provides the best chance of preserving the Norfolk trees with the least impact to the beach and the park.

Yes, we considered all types of seawalls however it determined that a placed rock seawall is the best option for Moffat Beach like what has historically been there.

The seawall needs to be flatter to make it safer and to comply with modern engineering standards. The gentler slope will help to absorb energy from waves crashing into the rocks which can help to reduce erosion of the sand on the beach.

The seawall footprint has been reduced as much as possible whilst maintaining a suitably high factor of safety that meets minimum engineering standards for a rock placed seawall (long term FOS of 1.5 adopted)​.

The slope of the seawall is 1:1.5 – which is 1m high to 1.5 m wide.

The seawall footprint varies with the topography of the beach however it is between 10-13m wide for the middle and eastern section and approximately 15.5m for western section​. The western section requires a larger seawall toe due to the clay substrate under the sand.

A rounded return is required at the end of the eastern section to lessen the impacts of end effects, this will change the look of the area. Some vegetation will be impacted however we are looking at improving the beach access to the rock platform as part of this design work.

There has been delays due to securing QRA funding and changes to the project scope after the second weather event in 2024 caused the middle section of the wall to fail.

The design is for the entire length of seawall, however at this stage we only have funding to rebuild the western and middle sections. We are still considering options to rebuild the entire wall at once.

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the new structure – and the safety of our community and health of the beach – we have sought the advice of experienced, independent expert engineers who specialise in coastal engineering projects to design the reconstructed seawall.

Before any design work began, they used local survey and metocean data to undertake cross shore beach morphology modelling, to simulate beach profiles to estimate how the beach will respond to different seawall alignments during storm events.

Metocean data refers to information about the weather (meteorological) and ocean conditions. It includes data like wind speed, wave height, ocean currents, temperature and more.

Cross-shore beach morphology modelling is a method used to study and predict how the shape and features of a beach change over time due to the influence of waves, tides and currents.

This has helped to assess the most appropriate design for this specific location with regards to coastal processes.

We asked the consultants to investigate options that:

• aim for retention of the Norfolk Pine Trees
• prioritise community safety
• protect the parkland
• ensure resilience during future storm event and consider future climate change effects.

It was also important that the options didn’t significantly impact beach and sand processes. We want to protect the surf break Moffat Beach is famous for, and we want a seawall that helps keep sand in the bay and on this popular beach.

We must also ensure the reconstructed seawall meets engineering standards and is lawfully constructed meeting all necessary statutory approvals. 

Consultants

Local Sunshine Coast engineering consultancy Shoreline Civil and Marine Consulting was appointed to the project.

This company is the preferred consultant with the local knowledge, people and skills required to undertake this important project for Moffat Beach.

Shoreline Civil and Marine has extensive experience delivering coastal, marine and civil engineering solutions.

Shoreline is committed to ensuring the Moffat Beach seawall design adheres to modern engineering standards, and complies with legislative requirements with a view of obtaining the necessary approvals by the relevant authorities.

If you have any questions or comments then please send these to the below Council email address. Please do not contact the consultants. They will not respond to any questions or comments as they have been requested to only communicate with Council.

Seawalls help to prevent the loss of land caused by coastal erosion and act as a barrier against storm surges and high tides. They safeguard important community infrastructure like roads, parks, car parks, pathways, playgrounds and amenity blocks.

Coastal seawall design needs to consider several key factors to be effective and long lasting.

Be location specific: Seawalls need to consider the unique coastal process and aspects of their specific coastal location, adhere to modern engineering standards, comply with legislative requirements and be approved by the relevant authorities.

Breaking waves: The seawall design should aim to dissipate wave energy rather than reflect it. The wall should make the waves interact gently instead of hitting it hard. This can be achieved by using a sloped profile and/or include voids the water can go into. Either will reduce the force of the waves hitting the wall.

Community safety: The seawall should be high enough to reduce “overtopping’’ by waves during a weather event and mitigate damage to the area behind the wall and potential risks to anyone on the foreshore.

A healthy coastline: A seawall should minimise the impact on the area’s coastal process and not significantly change the amount of sand moving in and out with storms and the tide.

Strong materials: It should use durable, non-corrosive materials such as stone or concrete, to withstand harsh coastal conditions, keep the maintenance low and not break down in the water.

Height and strength: The seawall should be strong enough to withstand the maximum expected wave forces for its location and be able to stand up on its own. For a sloped seawall, current engineering standards consider this to be a minimum of 1:1.5 profile which is for every 1 metre high, the seawall should be 1.5 metres wide and have big enough rocks that can not move in  storm events.

Strong foundations: A deep and stable foundation is crucial to prevent undermining and collapse of the seawall so it does not get washed away. The foundation should be buried deep in the sand and below the expected erosion levels.

Be future proof: Designs must adhere to modern engineering standards and consider future sea-level rise and increased storm intensity due to climate change.

Drainage and erosion control: Proper drainage systems need to be incorporated into the design to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall and causing structural failure.

Consider amenity: Seawall designs should consider the visual impact on the coastal landscape and incorporate features that help it to blend with the surroundings. They can incorporate steps or places where people can sit, watch the waves and enjoy the beach.

Cost-effectiveness: A seawall design should balance initial construction costs with long-term maintenance needs.  Making use of locally available materials is one such avenue for cost effectiveness.

The results indicated that the differences in the seawall alignment (seaward or landward of the Norfolk Pine Trees) result in very minor differences to the erosion of sand on the beach during a storm.

Please view Moffat Beach Community Focus group presentation 2 for more detailed information.

Council has done numerous geotechnical assessments over the past 7 years. The latest testing showed there is a base of clay in the west half of the site and a base of bedrock (sandstone) in the east half of the site. There is a mix of fill types behind the seawall. The outcome is the seawall will need to be ‘keyed’ into both the sandstone and the clay, with a larger toe required in the clay section.

Please view Moffat Beach Community Focus group presentation 2 for more detailed information.

Wave overtopping occurs when waves are so powerful that water spills over the top of a seawall. This can happen during storms, high tides, or when the seawall isn’t tall enough to block the waves completely. The overtopped water can cause safety risks to people standing or walking behind the seawall, flooding, damage nearby areas, or weaken the seawall over time.

At Moffat Beach, our primary concern is community safety. The Moffat Beach seawall is being designed to minimise wave overtopping by choosing the right height, slope, and materials to handle the force of incoming waves. It is being designed as per the guidance from Eurotop manual for pedestrian safety on the coastal pathway.

The surf impact study is still in progress.

No.

Pending State Government assessment and approval of the seawall design and footprint, Council is proposing a seawall design that aims to retain the Norfolk pine trees and Cook Island pine.

We will do our very best to protect and preserve each Norfolk pine tree. A qualified arborist will be advising the construction team on how to give the trees the best chance of survival. However, we can’t guarantee this.

There will be heavy machinery and a lot of rocks and soil being moved around the root area. While there will be an exclusion zone around each tree that avoids the structural root zones, the construction work may cause damage to tree health.

Yes. The current design requires some trees growing in and behind the wall in the western and eastern section to be removed, cared for and if possible, replanted back into the parkland once the wall construction is complete.

We expect some trees will need to be removed completely as they are unlikely to survive relocation. These will be replaced with new trees during the landscaping phase. Please see this map for the current design. Green dots are trees that are retained, blue dots are trees that will be relocated and red dot represent trees that will be removed and offset with new plantings. This is subject to change pending further design work.

Reconstructed seawall requirements

The Moffat Beach seawall needs to:

• adhere to modern coastal engineering standards
• be designed for the specific Moffat Beach coastal conditions
• keep our community safe
• balance the protection of the park and the health of our beaches and coastline
• be constructed lawfully with all necessary statutory approvals obtained.

The current seawall has failed and a new design for the reconstructed seawall will alter the footprint. 

This change to the seawall’s footprint means the Seawall Reconstruction Project Team will need to submit a development application and receive approval for the new design before any work can begin.

The application process

The steps that must be followed to submit an application are:

1. seek pre-lodgement advice from the Queensland Government before the application is lodged
2. obtain the landowner’s consent (Queensland Government)
3. lodge the application with Council as the assessment manager
4. refer the application to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency
5. answer any information requests from either Council (the assessment manager) or the State
6. wait for the State’s review response
7. Council (the assessment manager) makes the final decision on the application and, if approved, issues the decision notice inclusive of any conditions from the State’s referral agencies.

Submitting an application

The reconstruction of the seawall is considered assessable development under the Queensland Government’s Planning Regulation 2017. Assessable development requires an approval before any work can begin. 

This involves the Seawall Reconstruction Project Team submitting a development application for assessment and decision by an assessment manager.

The seawall application will be for Operational Work (Prescribed Tidal Works) because it involves activities in the tidal zone (as defined by the Queensland Government’s Coastal Management and Protection Act 1995). 

There are two categories of assessment for assessable development: code and impact.

The seawall is a code assessable application.

Assessment manager

As per schedule 8, table 2, item 1 (c) of the Planning Regulation 2017, the local government is the assessment manager for development applications for prescribed tidal works within the tidal area for a local government area.

This means Sunshine Coast Council is the assessment manager.

Assessing the application – Sunshine Coast Council

Council (the assessment manager) will assess the application against the Queensland Government’s prescribed tidal works code in Schedule 3 of the Coastal Management and Protection Regulation 2017.

The Seawall Reconstruction Project team will also refer the application to the Queensland Government’s State Assessment and Referral Agency for assessment as the project will impact on Matters of State Environmental Significance.

Matters of State Environmental Significance – Queensland Government

The Seawall Reconstruction Project Team understands that as part of this process the project will require assessment of:

• maritime safety – assessed by Maritime Safety Queensland
• tidal work – assessed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation
• removal, destruction or damage of marine plants – assessed by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The Queensland Government has a list of requirements for each aspect listed above and the seawall project must make sure that the application adheres to these requirements.

The requirements are in the following State Development Assessment Provisions:

• State Code 7 – Maritime safety
• State Code 8 – Coastal development and tidal works
• State Code 11 – Removal, destruction or damage of marine plants.

Timeframes

The Queensland Government assessment process has several steps and timeframes for approval that can often take between six and nine months, with no limit on how many information requests the State can ask about the application.

It is important that the seawall design meets the performance outcomes of the relevant codes. If the application is refused or the design requires large changes then the Seawall Reconstruction Project Team may need to reapply. This starts the process again which could mean a delay of up to 12 months.

Definitions

Assessable development under section 28 is operational works that are:

(a) tidal works, or

(b) any of the following carried out completely or partly in a coastal management district:

(i) interfering with quarry material, as defined under the Coastal Act, on State coastal

land above high-water mark

(ii) disposing of dredge spoil, or other solid waste material, in tidal water

(iii) constructing an artificial waterway

(iv) removing or interfering with coastal dunes on land, other than State coastal land, that is in an erosion prone area.

Operational work means work, other than building work or plumbing or drainage work, in, on, over or under premises that materially affects premises or the use of premises

Prescribed tidal works means tidal works of a type prescribed under the Coastal Act, section 167(5)(d).

You can see the application and background documents at Development.i application after it has been lodged which is expected to be early December.

We expect it to take up to six months for the application to be assessed by the relevant authorities.

Yes, you’ll still have access to the front row seat Moffat offers. It’s likely there will be sandstone blocks at the top of the seawall for you to sit on as well as tables and chairs in the parkland behind the seawall. We will have more information on this in early 2025.

The new seawall will look very similar to the existing one, with placed rock. It will be wider, with a gentler slope.

The rock will come from local quarries and be similarly dark shades. The rock is required to be a durable and tough igneous rock, with the opportunity to use sandstone at the top of the seawall, outside of the significant wave impact area.

The seawall design should aim to dissipate wave energy rather than reflect it. The wall should make the waves run up and break up over the rock surface instead of hitting it hard and refracting back towards the ocean. At Moffat Beach, this is being achieved by using a sloped profile. One benefit of placed rock is there are lots of voids between the rocks for the water to go into along with randomised shapes. These will dissipate the force of the waves hitting the wall, minimising the disruption to coastal processes and the movement of sand on the beach.

Each layer of the seawall is important. Typically, seawalls have three main layers each serving a different purpose:

1. The first layer of heavy duty geofabric is laid against the excavated batters and allows water to seep through the soil matrix into the next layer of the seawall. This reduces pore water pressure on the seawall (supports drainage).
2. The second layer of filter rock allows this water to flow between geofabric and armour rock layers. It also acts to protect the geofabric from very large sharp armour rocks. It needs to be suitably thick (usually 600-1200mm thick in a large seawall).
3. The final layer of armour rock protects the entire structure and anything behind the seawall. It is typically 800-2000mm rocks two layers thick.

Figure 1: Placed rock seawall with 1:1.5 slope under construction at Mooloolaba 2020 (geofabric layer, filter rock and armour rock from left to right)

Sand moves in and out of the bay at Moffat Beach frequently depending on waves, currents and tidal conditions. It’s likely that most of the time the bottom toe rocks of the seawall will be covered in sand, however there will be times when the rock is exposed as sand has eroded into the bay – like during storm events. At Moffat Beach, sand generally migrates back onto the beach within a few weeks following a large storm event.

Is a ramp currently available to access the beach?

The seawall design will incorporate a new vehicle access ramp. The full reconstruction of the new access ramp will be integrated into and constructed at the same time as the seawall. We are continuing to investigate options to provide safe temporary pedestrian access in the location of the current access ramp until the new seawall and access ramp can be constructed. 

We encourage you to continue using the temporary beach access we created next to Eleanor Shipley Park. It has a gentle slope to provide an alternative beach access for people who are unable to use stairs. The surface of beach access 273 is cement treated decomposed granite, which is similar to other beach access points and provides a hard base with a natural beach look. The access was also widened to approximately two metres and fenced either side.

The ramp will move to the western end of the seawall. The ramp alignment has considered feedback from the Moffat Beach Community Focus Group and other members of the community in its design through historical discussions with Council officers. The ramp extends onto the beach and has rock armouring on both sides to protect it from waves. The new design is approximately half as steep than the old ramp to support improved access to the water. ​A handrail is also being investigated to increase the accessibility of the ramp.

This ramp design retains the Cook Island Pine however some of the Cottonwoods will need to be cut back. The picnic table and BBQ will still be shaded by the Cottonwoods.  ​

The change to the ramp location will mean we are investigating moving the disability parking bays to be closer to the ramp. No loss of parking is being proposed however there may be changes to the parking layout to improve traffic movement and the location of the disability bays.

The ramp is not DDA compliant. The team investigated a DDA compliant ramp initially. This type of structure would occupy a very significant portion of the beach and be approximately 120-130m long. We would also still require an additional machinery ramp which would occupy further space. The beach also currently has no lifesaving services or surf club volunteers who could assist with turning Moffat Beach into an accessible beach. It was decided to improve the new ramp as much as possible for pedestrians whilst still maintaining an acceptable level of useability for vehicle access.

We are moving the ramp to make it safer and more usable for Council maintenance and the community who use it. In its current location, the sand is frequently eroded below the ramp, making the ramp unsafe and unusable. The chance of this happening will be significantly less in the new location. The ramp was also too steep and outside the desirable range for pedestrian use, there was insufficient footprint to achieve suitable design outcomes if the existing ramp footprint was reused.

Yes. The ramp will be open for people to use who are unable to use the stairs.

Yes. However, the ramp will cease to be a formalised public boat ramp.

The beach access points will remain relatively unchanged pending a review by Council’s landscape architects. We will be replacing the existing two staircases along the seawall.

The beach access stairs will be replaced with sets slightly wider so two people with surfboards in their arms can pass each other. There will be a beach shower on the central staircase and Council designers are investigating adding a shower to the eastern staircase.

The stairs will look similar to what is there now. They will have marine grade aluminium frames with native hardwood timber balustrades and treads.  The stairs will be longer so there isn’t a gap when the beach erodes. A concrete set of steps at the base of the eastern set of stairs is proposed to eliminate the fall risk.

We are considering sandstone blocks at the top of the wall to act as extra seating and a safety barrier. It will also offer added protection to people and the parkland behind the wall from large waves during storms.

There will be trees planted to replace the ones that were removed. The species are yet to be determined.

Changes to the O’Donnell pathway are currently being worked through and Council has been liaising with the O’Donnell family regarding this. We will know more soon.

Not at this stage due to community safety. We have been monitoring the eastern end and it is showing signs of movement as well.

Access to this section has been restricted as the soil failure may extend through this section if conditions deteriorate. Monitoring will continue for public safety. 

Yes – these options are still being developed for community input.

Council has been liaising closely with the Moffat Beach Community Focus Group who have shared community values as the design of the seawall progressed.

All correspondence received by the community to date, as well as past community engagement activities identifying the values of Moffat Beach have also been considered by the Project Team.

We know the community highly values the Norfolk Pine Trees which is why we have put forward a hybrid alignment that seeks to retain these trees.

The seawall’s design and alignment has been decided based on engineering standards and compliance with Coastal Management and Protection Regulation 2017. This is because we are committed to ensuring the reconstructed seawall meets engineering standards and is lawfully constructed meeting all necessary statutory approvals.

You will have a chance to give your thoughts on the open space design elements directly behind the seawall including: plants, including large shade trees and landscaping in early 2025. Please subscribe for updates.

You’ll be able to have your say in 2025 as part of the Moffat Beach Place Plan. The Moffat Beach Place Plan will capture our community’s values and ideas to inform development of the plan.

It will guide how we improve and manage public spaces including street areas and parks. It will contain short term and longer-term ideas.

The plan will respond to environmental changes, traffic, parking and safety issues, and pedestrian access. It will help to protect Moffat Beach’s special history, culture, character, and ecology.

Moffat Beach and bay is considered a closed system. You’ll notice sand on Moffat Beach is very dynamic and while it changes quickly – sand only stays in the bay, travelling offshore during a storm and then migrating back to shore during the calmer winter period.

Sand nourishment also must be of a compatible grain size. Moffat Beach sand is very gritty and large grained sand, likely from the headland breaking down over a millennia. Offshore sources may not be compatible, and it would be too expensive and inefficient to truck in sand. The bay is likely too shallow to get in close with a dredge so we’d need a floating pipeline which would all come at a significant cost.

Yes. We need to open it to prevent flooding of public and private infrastructure upstream. The location for the opening is carefully managed to minimise erosion of the northern bank and so the mouth doesn’t migrate to the base of the seawall and cause erosion here.

Please view Moffat Beach Community Focus group presentation 2 for more detailed information.

There is already a very large natural reef offshore from Moffat Beach. An artificial reef would also cost Council between $30-70million. It may also negatively affect the surf break and sediment transport processes around the headland and Moffat/Dicky beach.

Pending approvals, the seawall will be reconstructed during winter 2025. It’s likely to begin after the Easter school holidays and take approximately 7-9 months, weather and tides permitting.

Construction must take place during the calmer months (Autumn to Spring) when there are less storms and swell. 

We don't have that information yet as we have been focused on finalising the design and approvals of the seawall. We will update the community as soon as we know more on the construction schedule.

Yes. We have received funding from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to rebuild part of the seawall. We have already asked for several extensions to this funding, which have been granted. We have been advised there are no further extensions available and must have the project completed in 2025.

Yes, you can still use the park.  There will be some temporary restrictions as construction will be taking place with excavators and trucks moving about. Please follow safety signage and do not enter construction zones. We do need to keep the workers and community safe.

Yes, there will be noise as we embed the toe of the seawall into the sandstone. There will be an excavator with a rock hammer chipping out sandstone. Keying in the toe of the wall into the sandstone is really important to ensure a seawall that is very stable and has a long life. Trucks will also be delivering rocks 3-5 days a week along with other general construction activities.

There may be some temporary restrictions in place at different times during construction. This is to keep our community safe while excavators and heavy machinery are working on the beach and at the seawall.

There may be some temporary restrictions in place at different times during construction. This is to keep our community safe while excavators and heavy machinery access the beach and seawall.